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TURKISH FACTOR: MOSCOW CONFERENCE REVIEWS GEOPOLITICAL THREATS AND DYNAMICS IN MIDEAST AND FORMER SOVIET SPACE
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
30.03.12 | 12:08
The Turkish factor in the Middle East and post-Soviet countries
was the main issue of research at the conference held at Moscow's
Strategic Research Center recently. Expert in Turkish studies Ruben
Safrastyan says Russia has concerns over the Turkish factor and is
trying to define its role in the region.
"The conference was the first step that will lead to a closer
investigation of Turkey's role in geopolitical developments and,
most importantly, what threats the Turkish factor is posing," says
Safrastyan, head of the Institute of Eastern Studies at the RA National
Academy of Sciences, who participated in the conference.
He says after the collapse of the Soviet Union scientific relations
between Russia and Armenia had seen a decline. However, today, when
Moscow is becoming an extremely important factor in the Middle East,
the mutual ties in the sphere are being resumed and strengthened.
At the conference the Institutes of Eastern Studies of both countries'
National Academies of Sciences signed agreements. Safrasyan says
the conference will become a fulcrum for enhancing cooperation with
Russian institutes in particular, which has to do with the Russia's
activated regional politics.
Twelve reports were presented on how the Turkish factor influences
many countries' domestic political affairs, among them Georgia and
Azerbaijan. By a number of reports, experts from different countries
clearly demonstrated Turkey's backstage activities.
In his report Safrastyan touched upon the Turkish factor, structure
and dynamics, stressing that Turkey had intruded into South Caucasus.
After the collapse of Soviet Union it has shifted its policy and
has been following it in relations with Russia, Middle East and
CIS countries.
"The Turkish factor has turned into Turkish expansion by peaceful
means and spreading of pan-Turkism and Islamism," he says. "Turkey
has started consolidating its positions in the geopolitical struggle.
However, in most cases, those positions do not match with the ones it
actually has. The next couple of years will show whether Turkey will
remain within its frame or will go beyond it and by doing so pose a
threat to geopolitical processes. "
Safrastyan stresses that the Turkish factor has to be thoroughly
researched, and measures taken, to prevent it from strengthening.
He does not rule out Turkey's potential military involvement in Syrian
affairs, which would endanger the Syrian Armenian community.
"If hostilities burst out in Iran Turkey might be part of it as well.
This fits into the so-called "trade relations" with the United States"
the main purpose of which is to keep the United States from using
the word 'genocide'," he says.
In his report Safrastyan raised an issue, saying that although Russia
had long recognized the Armenian Genocide however was lagging behind
France which is trying to adopt the law on criminalizing genocide
denial.
"The key message was that Russia, too, has to start a similar process,"
he says. "A number of countries are following the evolution of the
issue, so if France passes the bill, quite possible, that several
European countries might accede as well."
The Azeri press, particularly the Trend.az online newspaper, covering
Safrastyan's Moscow report, qualified it as "an attempt to drive a
wedge between Turkey and Russia."
By Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
30.03.12 | 12:08
The Turkish factor in the Middle East and post-Soviet countries
was the main issue of research at the conference held at Moscow's
Strategic Research Center recently. Expert in Turkish studies Ruben
Safrastyan says Russia has concerns over the Turkish factor and is
trying to define its role in the region.
"The conference was the first step that will lead to a closer
investigation of Turkey's role in geopolitical developments and,
most importantly, what threats the Turkish factor is posing," says
Safrastyan, head of the Institute of Eastern Studies at the RA National
Academy of Sciences, who participated in the conference.
He says after the collapse of the Soviet Union scientific relations
between Russia and Armenia had seen a decline. However, today, when
Moscow is becoming an extremely important factor in the Middle East,
the mutual ties in the sphere are being resumed and strengthened.
At the conference the Institutes of Eastern Studies of both countries'
National Academies of Sciences signed agreements. Safrasyan says
the conference will become a fulcrum for enhancing cooperation with
Russian institutes in particular, which has to do with the Russia's
activated regional politics.
Twelve reports were presented on how the Turkish factor influences
many countries' domestic political affairs, among them Georgia and
Azerbaijan. By a number of reports, experts from different countries
clearly demonstrated Turkey's backstage activities.
In his report Safrastyan touched upon the Turkish factor, structure
and dynamics, stressing that Turkey had intruded into South Caucasus.
After the collapse of Soviet Union it has shifted its policy and
has been following it in relations with Russia, Middle East and
CIS countries.
"The Turkish factor has turned into Turkish expansion by peaceful
means and spreading of pan-Turkism and Islamism," he says. "Turkey
has started consolidating its positions in the geopolitical struggle.
However, in most cases, those positions do not match with the ones it
actually has. The next couple of years will show whether Turkey will
remain within its frame or will go beyond it and by doing so pose a
threat to geopolitical processes. "
Safrastyan stresses that the Turkish factor has to be thoroughly
researched, and measures taken, to prevent it from strengthening.
He does not rule out Turkey's potential military involvement in Syrian
affairs, which would endanger the Syrian Armenian community.
"If hostilities burst out in Iran Turkey might be part of it as well.
This fits into the so-called "trade relations" with the United States"
the main purpose of which is to keep the United States from using
the word 'genocide'," he says.
In his report Safrastyan raised an issue, saying that although Russia
had long recognized the Armenian Genocide however was lagging behind
France which is trying to adopt the law on criminalizing genocide
denial.
"The key message was that Russia, too, has to start a similar process,"
he says. "A number of countries are following the evolution of the
issue, so if France passes the bill, quite possible, that several
European countries might accede as well."
The Azeri press, particularly the Trend.az online newspaper, covering
Safrastyan's Moscow report, qualified it as "an attempt to drive a
wedge between Turkey and Russia."