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World Markets Research Centre
Global Insight
November 26, 2008
Armenia and Turkey Edge Closer to Reconciliation in New Round of Peace
Talks
by Natalia Leshchenko
Armenian foreign minister Eduard Nabaldian held a meeting with his
Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in Istanbul yesterday. The questions
on the table encompassed all the substantial issues in Armenia-Turkey
relations, such as the creation of a joint commission on the events of
1915 which Armenia treats as genocide, the withdrawal of Armenian
troops from Nagorno-Karabakh, the opening of the border between two
countries, a visit to Turkey by the Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan,
and the Black Sea Security Platform. The Turkish side reportedly also
offered to send a permanent envoy of the rank of an ambassador to
Yerevan and to open an air connection between the two countries.
Significance:Armenia is coming under external pressure for regulating
its relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, from both the neighbouring
states, Russia and indirectly the European Union (EU) which is
interested in improving security in the Caucasus region, for the sake
of more stable energy supplies and also to thwart the growth of
U.S. influence. Russia and Turkey have apparently reached an
understanding on a joint action to create a security platform in the
region in which they will both cooperate. Armenia suffers from the
closed borders and absence of trade with its neighbours but this only
strengthens the country's resolve to dig its heels in on what it deems
"matters of principle" such as the recognition of the Armenian
genocide and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. The more the Armenian
position is taken into account during the negotiations, the more
likely is their success and stability of the eventual agreements.
Global Insight
November 26, 2008
Armenia and Turkey Edge Closer to Reconciliation in New Round of Peace
Talks
by Natalia Leshchenko
Armenian foreign minister Eduard Nabaldian held a meeting with his
Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan in Istanbul yesterday. The questions
on the table encompassed all the substantial issues in Armenia-Turkey
relations, such as the creation of a joint commission on the events of
1915 which Armenia treats as genocide, the withdrawal of Armenian
troops from Nagorno-Karabakh, the opening of the border between two
countries, a visit to Turkey by the Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan,
and the Black Sea Security Platform. The Turkish side reportedly also
offered to send a permanent envoy of the rank of an ambassador to
Yerevan and to open an air connection between the two countries.
Significance:Armenia is coming under external pressure for regulating
its relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan, from both the neighbouring
states, Russia and indirectly the European Union (EU) which is
interested in improving security in the Caucasus region, for the sake
of more stable energy supplies and also to thwart the growth of
U.S. influence. Russia and Turkey have apparently reached an
understanding on a joint action to create a security platform in the
region in which they will both cooperate. Armenia suffers from the
closed borders and absence of trade with its neighbours but this only
strengthens the country's resolve to dig its heels in on what it deems
"matters of principle" such as the recognition of the Armenian
genocide and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. The more the Armenian
position is taken into account during the negotiations, the more
likely is their success and stability of the eventual agreements.