Tweet
RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN: ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS AT A TURNING POINT
Nvard Davtyan
"Radiolur"
08.04.2009 17:58
The Armenian-Turkish relations are at a turning point, Richard
Giragosian, Director of the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), told a press conference today. However,
he predicted that this turn would take place by yearend, not before
or after April 24.
Why is the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations becoming
possible today? According to ACNIS Director, there are two main
reasons. The first is that Turkey is changing. "We see Turkey
undergoing a very profound internal revolution, where Turkish identity
and the future direction of Turkey are being redefined. In other words,
Turkey has become frustrated with looking to Brussels, and joining the
European Union. Turkey is also redefining its role in the region. The
Turkish effort in the region today is new because it is no longer
meant for the US or to please Brussels," he said.
According to Richard Giragosian, Turkey's every step towards
rapprochement with Armenia alienates it from Azerbaijan. This is good
for Armenia in the long-term, but the political scientist sees danger
from Azerbaijan in the short-term.
Turning to US President Barack Obama's visit to Turkey, Richard
Giragosian said Obama's statement was clear. "His position on the
Armenian Issue, as he said, has not changed. But20it is clear that
Turkey is delaying any agreement. Turkey is waiting till after April
24th to have maximum leverage over the Americans. For this reason
we should not expect President Obama to use the genocide word." He
noted, however, that Turkey is moving toward genocide recognition,
but far too slowly.
The next interesting thing, according to Richard Giragosian, was
President Obama's recent phone call to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev.
Besides, US Co-Chair of the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza visited Baku
recently.
"The phone call and the visit are both part of the US plan to
put pressure on Baku to allow Armenian-Turkish normalization," he
said. The speaker noted there was interesting distinction between
normalization and reconciliation, "Normalization implies open borders
and diplomatic relations, while reconciliation means coming to terms
with the Genocide.
While I'm confident about normalization, I'm not confident about
reconciliation," Giragosian stated.
Nvard Davtyan
"Radiolur"
08.04.2009 17:58
The Armenian-Turkish relations are at a turning point, Richard
Giragosian, Director of the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), told a press conference today. However,
he predicted that this turn would take place by yearend, not before
or after April 24.
Why is the establishment of Armenian-Turkish relations becoming
possible today? According to ACNIS Director, there are two main
reasons. The first is that Turkey is changing. "We see Turkey
undergoing a very profound internal revolution, where Turkish identity
and the future direction of Turkey are being redefined. In other words,
Turkey has become frustrated with looking to Brussels, and joining the
European Union. Turkey is also redefining its role in the region. The
Turkish effort in the region today is new because it is no longer
meant for the US or to please Brussels," he said.
According to Richard Giragosian, Turkey's every step towards
rapprochement with Armenia alienates it from Azerbaijan. This is good
for Armenia in the long-term, but the political scientist sees danger
from Azerbaijan in the short-term.
Turning to US President Barack Obama's visit to Turkey, Richard
Giragosian said Obama's statement was clear. "His position on the
Armenian Issue, as he said, has not changed. But20it is clear that
Turkey is delaying any agreement. Turkey is waiting till after April
24th to have maximum leverage over the Americans. For this reason
we should not expect President Obama to use the genocide word." He
noted, however, that Turkey is moving toward genocide recognition,
but far too slowly.
The next interesting thing, according to Richard Giragosian, was
President Obama's recent phone call to Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev.
Besides, US Co-Chair of the Minsk Group Matthew Bryza visited Baku
recently.
"The phone call and the visit are both part of the US plan to
put pressure on Baku to allow Armenian-Turkish normalization," he
said. The speaker noted there was interesting distinction between
normalization and reconciliation, "Normalization implies open borders
and diplomatic relations, while reconciliation means coming to terms
with the Genocide.
While I'm confident about normalization, I'm not confident about
reconciliation," Giragosian stated.