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ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS, NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROBLEM ARE SEPARATE PROCESSES - SABINE FREIZER
Tert.am
16.01.12
Ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols will improve the
relations between the two neighbor countries, which will, in turn,
contribute to the reinforcement of stability in the region," Sabine
Freizer, European Program Director at the International Crisis Group,
said in an interview with bs-kavkaz.org
Unless the protocols are ratified, the process between Armenia and
Turkey will become more complicated causing disappointment in both
countries' societies, she said.
According to Freizer, both Armenia and Turkey will benefit from the
normalization of relations. Ankara is confident that it is quite a
positive move first of all from the viewpoint of foreign policy, as
Turkey will thus realize the "zero problems with neighbors" policy,
which is important for its joining the European Union. Besides,
Turkey will get an opportunity to expand its economic influence in
the South Caucasus, she added.
As for Armenia, after the ratification it will establish diplomatic
relations with Turkey and will have open borders and will gain foreign
policy dividends, Freizer said.
According to Sabine Freizer, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh problem are separate processes.
"One cannot say they are not at all connected with each other,
but we cannot hope that the Armenian-Turkish process will solve the
Karabakh issue."
Provision of an interim status and security guarantees to
Nagorno-Karabakh will be the best option, according to Freizer.
"Nagorno-Karabakh has functioning government and developing economy,
and the interim status will provide an opportunity to communicate
with the outer world and attract investments."
Tert.am
16.01.12
Ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols will improve the
relations between the two neighbor countries, which will, in turn,
contribute to the reinforcement of stability in the region," Sabine
Freizer, European Program Director at the International Crisis Group,
said in an interview with bs-kavkaz.org
Unless the protocols are ratified, the process between Armenia and
Turkey will become more complicated causing disappointment in both
countries' societies, she said.
According to Freizer, both Armenia and Turkey will benefit from the
normalization of relations. Ankara is confident that it is quite a
positive move first of all from the viewpoint of foreign policy, as
Turkey will thus realize the "zero problems with neighbors" policy,
which is important for its joining the European Union. Besides,
Turkey will get an opportunity to expand its economic influence in
the South Caucasus, she added.
As for Armenia, after the ratification it will establish diplomatic
relations with Turkey and will have open borders and will gain foreign
policy dividends, Freizer said.
According to Sabine Freizer, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh problem are separate processes.
"One cannot say they are not at all connected with each other,
but we cannot hope that the Armenian-Turkish process will solve the
Karabakh issue."
Provision of an interim status and security guarantees to
Nagorno-Karabakh will be the best option, according to Freizer.
"Nagorno-Karabakh has functioning government and developing economy,
and the interim status will provide an opportunity to communicate
with the outer world and attract investments."