Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan opines that Turkey got what it deserved
“I think that statements are made but the situation is not fundamentally changing. It does not mean a new level of tension: if there will be a real air collision, or if Turkey decides to launch a new military operation in Syria, it would already mean that a new phase of tension in relations has begun,” said Turkologist, Director of Oriental Studies Institute, Ruben Safrastyan, in an interview with Aravot, referring to the continuously escalated Russian-Turkish relations. Armenia has also become the subject of speculation by both parties in conflict. Russia wants to annul the Moscow treaty signed on March 16, 1921, Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu announces that Russia supporting Armenia threatens the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Mr. Safrastyan does not agree that Russia is speculating Armenia’s issue, “It’s only about the treaty, which is not anew and there is no official response. The legislative body has submitted the proposal and Russian foreign ministry has said that it would examine it. The situation has remained the same. At that time, two Communist Party MPs raised this issue,” says Mr. Safrastyan. As for the statements by Turkish Prime Minister, according to the Turkologist, they are the diplomatic steps, which though will not change the situation, however, there should be a response statement by Armenia. To win the conflict with Russia, Turkey is using even its elder brother Azerbaijan by trying to drive a wedge between Azerbaijan and Russia.
Pertaining to this, Mr. Safrastyan says, “Obviously, Turkey is trying to involve Azerbaijan in its problem causing anti-Russian sentiments and using Azerbaijan’s stance but as we see, Azerbaijani leadership is trying to maneuver and not to possibly strain the situation. It is clear and understanding why it is doing so.” According to the Turkologist, Turkey’s influence in Azerbaijan should not be overestimated, “Azerbaijan is a country with energy-carriers. Turkey also depends on Azerbaijan to some extent. Azerbaijani gas enters the territory and then is resold to Europe, and the price on how much Turkey is going to sell is decided by Azerbaijan, every year, sharp debates are going on over this issue,” said Mr. Safrastyan, noting that up to this point, Baku was able to maintain neutrality for its own sake, as to how long it will be able to do so, it is a matter of the future.
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Apart from the diplomatic collision with Russia, Turkey is overloaded with the fight against terrorism regularly organized inside the country. The terrorist attacks organized in Ankara this week were unprecedented in its kind. The targets were strategic objects. Addressing this event, Ruben Safrastyan says, “Ankara officially stated that it is backed up by the Syrian Kurds, also accusing the Syrian authorities but it is more likely that not the Syrian Kurds are backing it up but the “Islamic State” grouping operating in Syria. I have not yet seen any evidence that proves that the terrorist has come from Syria. Logically, it was no necessity for the Syrian Kurds to carry out terrorism in Ankara, they are fighting for their land, on their territory, this terrorism would give nothing to them. There are various interpretations, for example, one of the former leaders of the Turkish National Security thinks that this is organized by the “Islamic State” grouping.”
On the background of these events, Mr. Safrastyan sees less likelihood for the establishment of the Islamic state”. “The known facts prove it, especially after the use of the Russian Air Force and the targeted attacks by the US armed forces, also, it was managed to cut off the possibility of selling the oil of the “Islamic state.” The weakening of the Islamic state is taking place, we see that the territory is narrowed. The profits is reduced, which they were getting from selling oil illegally,” says Mr. Safrastyan and notes that the social programs being previously implemented in their territory are not funded now, the money is also cut off, which they were paying to mercenaries. “It is no secret that Turkey has played an important role in the establishment of the “Islamic state”, they had tried to use it against Assad to reach their goals,” says Mr. Safrastyan.
He sees the traces of IS in recent terrorist acts committed in Turkey, “When Turkey had to undertake some actions against the “Islamic state”, they gave a very strong response to Turkey. In other words, Turkey got what it deserved. This was the result of the policy that Erdoğan was leading.”
Hripsime HOVHANNISYAN
“Aravot” daily
