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'THE GENOCIDE ISSUE IS ONLY THE TOP OF THE ICEBERG'
Marina Vorotnyuk
News.Az
Mon 26 December 2011
News.Az interviews Marina Vorotnyuk, research fellow of the Center
for International Studies of Odessa National University.
How far might the crisis in relations between Ankara and Paris go after
the National Assembly of France approves the bill penalizing the denial
of genocides (including of the events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915)?
This is not the first time when the issue of the recognition of
Armenian genocide becomes a stumbling block in the relationship between
Turkey and other states. Turkey is very sensitive on the issue and
insists on its depolitization. Currently it accuses French authorities
of using the issue of genocide as an instrument of electoral struggle.
After the lower chamber of French parliament - the French National
Assembly on December, 22 voted for the draft law criminalizing the
denial of the genocide, Turkish government responded with a harsh
criticism calling this an unfriendly gesture which can seriously
impede the bilateral relations. There are the first signs of this
deterioration which are, in Turkish Prime-Minister R.T.Erdogan~Rs
words, only ~Qthe first stage~R. The diplomatic, economic and military
relations between countries are temporarily suspended.
But that would be an exaggeration to call this event a ~Qno-return
point~R for French-Turkish relations. France has recognized the mass
killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire in 1915 as a genocide in 2001
(but without criminalization of its denial), and in 2006 the National
Assembly already passed the similar decision (which was not supported
by the Senate). So, this issue has its history.
In other words, the issue of genocide is only the top of the iceberg.
There are much deeper contradictions which might impede Turkish-French
partnership. And NATO operation in Libya clearly showed this when
Turks after initial reluctance to start the operation changed their
minds later unwilling to witness this unilateral "vanity fair"
of Sarkozy. But again, alongside with diplomatic declarations,
fortunately, there will always be some space for normal working
relations between Turkey and France.
How can you explain the Turkophobia in Europe and the unwillingness
of some European politicians to see Turkey as the EU member?
Turkish membership in the EU is a controversial issue and there are
several reasons for the unwillingness of certain European leaders and
some parts of European public to grant membership to Turkey. There
are security and economic considerations. Alongside with these
issues is the cultural one, where the statement that the EU is
perceived as a 'Christian club' is often referred to. Islamophobia
is a serious problem, especially in the light of the declared crash
of multiculturalism in Europe. To sum up, Europe is undergoing an
'enlargement fatigue' when the EU is more occupied with internal
problems as Euro zone crisis, than with the hypothetical Turkish
membership which is taken out of the agenda as for now.
What are the prospects of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
in conditions when the Armenian lobby does not disavow the global
campaign for recognition of 'Armenian genocide' by parliaments?
To be precise, the issue of the recognition of Armenian genocide
is not the only one which is bringing the desired Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement to the deadlock. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict where
Turkey is supporting Azerbaijan is another one. So, this issue should
be considered in its complexity. Considering the Turkish position,
its "zero problem policy" despite the initial optimism could not
bring the detente in relations with Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Marina Vorotnyuk
News.Az
Mon 26 December 2011
News.Az interviews Marina Vorotnyuk, research fellow of the Center
for International Studies of Odessa National University.
How far might the crisis in relations between Ankara and Paris go after
the National Assembly of France approves the bill penalizing the denial
of genocides (including of the events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915)?
This is not the first time when the issue of the recognition of
Armenian genocide becomes a stumbling block in the relationship between
Turkey and other states. Turkey is very sensitive on the issue and
insists on its depolitization. Currently it accuses French authorities
of using the issue of genocide as an instrument of electoral struggle.
After the lower chamber of French parliament - the French National
Assembly on December, 22 voted for the draft law criminalizing the
denial of the genocide, Turkish government responded with a harsh
criticism calling this an unfriendly gesture which can seriously
impede the bilateral relations. There are the first signs of this
deterioration which are, in Turkish Prime-Minister R.T.Erdogan~Rs
words, only ~Qthe first stage~R. The diplomatic, economic and military
relations between countries are temporarily suspended.
But that would be an exaggeration to call this event a ~Qno-return
point~R for French-Turkish relations. France has recognized the mass
killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire in 1915 as a genocide in 2001
(but without criminalization of its denial), and in 2006 the National
Assembly already passed the similar decision (which was not supported
by the Senate). So, this issue has its history.
In other words, the issue of genocide is only the top of the iceberg.
There are much deeper contradictions which might impede Turkish-French
partnership. And NATO operation in Libya clearly showed this when
Turks after initial reluctance to start the operation changed their
minds later unwilling to witness this unilateral "vanity fair"
of Sarkozy. But again, alongside with diplomatic declarations,
fortunately, there will always be some space for normal working
relations between Turkey and France.
How can you explain the Turkophobia in Europe and the unwillingness
of some European politicians to see Turkey as the EU member?
Turkish membership in the EU is a controversial issue and there are
several reasons for the unwillingness of certain European leaders and
some parts of European public to grant membership to Turkey. There
are security and economic considerations. Alongside with these
issues is the cultural one, where the statement that the EU is
perceived as a 'Christian club' is often referred to. Islamophobia
is a serious problem, especially in the light of the declared crash
of multiculturalism in Europe. To sum up, Europe is undergoing an
'enlargement fatigue' when the EU is more occupied with internal
problems as Euro zone crisis, than with the hypothetical Turkish
membership which is taken out of the agenda as for now.
What are the prospects of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
in conditions when the Armenian lobby does not disavow the global
campaign for recognition of 'Armenian genocide' by parliaments?
To be precise, the issue of the recognition of Armenian genocide
is not the only one which is bringing the desired Turkish-Armenian
rapprochement to the deadlock. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict where
Turkey is supporting Azerbaijan is another one. So, this issue should
be considered in its complexity. Considering the Turkish position,
its "zero problem policy" despite the initial optimism could not
bring the detente in relations with Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress