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Some Episodes of Putin's Visit Gave Turkish Side a Surprise
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - 06 December 2014, 14:23
In the result of Erdogan-Putin meeting the sides agreed to deepen
economic cooperation. Was isolation of these two countries from the
West the reason for the warmth of these meetings?
The state visit of the Russian president Putin to Ankara differed from
the previous ones, therefore its results will continue to be discussed
in political and professional circles for a long time. Judging by some
statements, several episodes of this visit were a surprise for the
Turkish side. What was announced in Ankara is the continuation of
cooperation of the past 10-12 years. Though trade fell last year, the
heads of two states continue to hope that the target set for trade for
2023 is realistic. Present controversies between Russia and the West
cannot compare to controversies between Turkey and the West with their
scope. Consequently, these countries cannot be similarly considered
"outcasts of the West", and Turkey and Russia cannot be on the same
plain.
Russia is an important trade partner for Turkey, therefore Moscow is
trying to benefit from Turkey's demand. However, the Turkish side is
more cautious and is up for limiting its dependence on Russian
projects of carbohydrates, trying to find alternative measures. It is
notable that in the past years imports of gas from Russia halved, and
Putin hinted growing demand of Turkey for gas. I think there was
certain controversy over this. Besides ongoing and pipeline projects
in the economic sphere the regional and geopolitical controversies are
sensitive points in the Turkish-Russian relations (Crimea, Ukraine,
Syria, South Caucasus etc).
People draw historical parallels noting that Russian-Turkish
rapprochement has always cost expensive for the Armenian people and
the Armenian state. Do you have a reason to worry in this respect and
what negative consequences can the negative impact have for Armenia?
As I said, the Russian-Turkish rapprochement is not something new
hence, I think, the upsurge of concerns by certain circles are
unnecessary. By the way, I have monitored response to the meetings of
heads of Russia and Turkey over the past years. What we witnessed over
the past few years repeated the examples of the previous years: sense
of uncertainty, depression, overestimation of matters that are
important to us or their subordination to the Russian-Turkish
relations. It is important for us to shake this complex off. Hence, it
is necessary to follow the developments of Russian-Turkish
cooperation, draw conclusions and shift them to the policy and
implementation level.
Who benefitted from this meeting?
This meeting was another cycle in the Russian-Turkish relations, so we
cannot draw hasty conclusions. The majority of projects discussed are
rather ambitious for Russia and are medium-term whereas Turkey is in a
hurry to achieve its demands in the visible future. Moreover, Turkey
will again appear in a favorable position and will foster its plan to
become an energy hub adopted in 2008.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/33297#sthash.VUjoPyGV.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian
Siranuysh Papyan, Interviewer
Interview - 06 December 2014, 14:23
In the result of Erdogan-Putin meeting the sides agreed to deepen
economic cooperation. Was isolation of these two countries from the
West the reason for the warmth of these meetings?
The state visit of the Russian president Putin to Ankara differed from
the previous ones, therefore its results will continue to be discussed
in political and professional circles for a long time. Judging by some
statements, several episodes of this visit were a surprise for the
Turkish side. What was announced in Ankara is the continuation of
cooperation of the past 10-12 years. Though trade fell last year, the
heads of two states continue to hope that the target set for trade for
2023 is realistic. Present controversies between Russia and the West
cannot compare to controversies between Turkey and the West with their
scope. Consequently, these countries cannot be similarly considered
"outcasts of the West", and Turkey and Russia cannot be on the same
plain.
Russia is an important trade partner for Turkey, therefore Moscow is
trying to benefit from Turkey's demand. However, the Turkish side is
more cautious and is up for limiting its dependence on Russian
projects of carbohydrates, trying to find alternative measures. It is
notable that in the past years imports of gas from Russia halved, and
Putin hinted growing demand of Turkey for gas. I think there was
certain controversy over this. Besides ongoing and pipeline projects
in the economic sphere the regional and geopolitical controversies are
sensitive points in the Turkish-Russian relations (Crimea, Ukraine,
Syria, South Caucasus etc).
People draw historical parallels noting that Russian-Turkish
rapprochement has always cost expensive for the Armenian people and
the Armenian state. Do you have a reason to worry in this respect and
what negative consequences can the negative impact have for Armenia?
As I said, the Russian-Turkish rapprochement is not something new
hence, I think, the upsurge of concerns by certain circles are
unnecessary. By the way, I have monitored response to the meetings of
heads of Russia and Turkey over the past years. What we witnessed over
the past few years repeated the examples of the previous years: sense
of uncertainty, depression, overestimation of matters that are
important to us or their subordination to the Russian-Turkish
relations. It is important for us to shake this complex off. Hence, it
is necessary to follow the developments of Russian-Turkish
cooperation, draw conclusions and shift them to the policy and
implementation level.
Who benefitted from this meeting?
This meeting was another cycle in the Russian-Turkish relations, so we
cannot draw hasty conclusions. The majority of projects discussed are
rather ambitious for Russia and are medium-term whereas Turkey is in a
hurry to achieve its demands in the visible future. Moreover, Turkey
will again appear in a favorable position and will foster its plan to
become an energy hub adopted in 2008.
- See more at: http://www.lragir.am/index/eng/0/interview/view/33297#sthash.VUjoPyGV.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian