“Being in Turkey at this challenging moment, I would like to reiterate once again the readiness and willingness of the Republic of Armenia to build peace in the region and, particularly, to normalize relations with Turkey fully, establish diplomatic ties and fully open the border between Armenia and Turkey.”
On February 15, said RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who went to Ankara. In a conversation with “Aravot,” the director of “Henaket” analytical center, Vitali Mangasaryan, responded to some questions arising from this visit.
-Mr. Mangasaryan, in your estimation, how realistic is the regulation of RA-Turkey relations at this stage? What perspectives would you suggest, considering the already-known statements of Turkey’s leading figures in this regard?
The Turkish side has repeatedly announced at a high level that it coordinates the normalization process of relations with Armenia with the Azerbaijani side. And we know the approaches of the Azerbaijani side: to finally abandon the Artsakh issue to launch the so-called “Zangezur Corridor.” Parallel to the demarcation-demarcation process, they raise the case for the return of their residents to the so-called “Western Azerbaijan.” At this stage, it all stems from Turkey’s interest. Will Turkey refuse or take a step back? Will its interest be subordinated to the various proposals of Armenia?
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It is naive to expect such a thing because at least the “Zangezur Corridor” launch primarily derives from Turkish interest. Turkey will at least try to do everything with Azerbaijan’s hands to achieve its goals. In addition, the Turks also have the issue of the Armenian Genocide, which is at their throats. With this process, they will try to do everything, so the Armenian side finally abandons its goal of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
As much as the Armenian side declares on various occasions that the settlement of relations with the Turks takes place without preconditions taking into account several statements from the Turkish and Azerbaijani sides, we can assume that at least at this stage, different preconditions will be put forward by them in the settlement process. Considering all this, I do not see a pro-Armenian perspective in this relations process.
– Regarding Armenia and Artsakh, as of today, what kind of situations and facts are directly or indirectly connected with Turkey, which many citizens may need to take into account or want to take into account?
– There are issues related to Artsakh with Turkey, such as the process of closing the Lachin Corridor. Just as during the 44-day war, Turkey controlled and led the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, so at this stage, the Turkish side is under the direct coordination of the so-called “environmentalists,” closing the corridor of Lachin. Videos are documenting and proving all that, starting with their famous “Grey Wolves ” gestures and ending with the representatives of the Turkish special services, who are still in the corridor of Lachin. All this proves that just as the Turks were in charge of the Azerbaijani units during the 44-day war, the Turkish special services are now coordinating what is happening in the Lachin Corridor.
– In your opinion, in what case will Turkey go to the normalization of relations with Armenia, and as part of that chain, to the border opening?
-First, a strong army must stand behind any diplomatic bloc so that the negotiators are confident and able to advance the Armenian interest. At this stage, the diplomatic bloc is not a brilliant team that would be able to try to run the Armenian interest without having a strong army.
The Turkish side will proceed to the final settlement of relations with Armenia when the preconditions set by it are fulfilled. At this stage, at the level of announcements, it is said that the settlement process is taking place without preconditions. If we assume that it is a reality, at least at some stage, the Turkish side will put forward its preconditions in statements or specific actions of Azerbaijan.
In any case, they will try to tear the maximum from RA at some stage. If a final settlement occurs, they will try to implement it by promoting their interests. We must have a combat-ready army behind the diplomats to prevent all that and advance the Armenian interests.
Luiza SUKIASYAN
“Aravot” daily 18.02.2023
