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Turkey and Armenia have agreed to start consultations on forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations in a bid to end a century of hostility.
The two neighbors have been at odds and their shared border has been shut since 1993 due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian claims on mass killings of their ancestors by Ottoman Turks during World War I.
The two countries announced the Swiss-brokered development in a joint statement on Monday. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry`s website, the statement said domestic consultations over two protocols would be completed within six weeks, which would be followed by ratification at Turkish and Armenian parliaments.
"Both sides will make their best efforts for the timely progression of the ratification in line with their constitutional and legal procedures," the statement said.
It also said Turkey and Armenia "are committed to pursuing their joint efforts with the assistance of Switzerland."
The "roadmap" to normalize ties was announced in April, but Monday`s agreements are considered the first real move toward reaching that goal.
Armenia`s Foreign Ministry claimed the parties had agreed to open the border between the two countries within two months after the Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations goes into effect. It said Armenia and Turkey will hold regular political consultations on the level of their foreign ministries and conduct dialog between the two nations for confidence-building. Ankara and Yerevan also agreed to fully use existing transport communications, energy infrastructure and networks, the Armenian ministry said.
Agreement was also reached to work together in the fields of science and education, in protecting cultural heritage, to establish ties in providing consular services, and to take steps toward economic, trade and tourism cooperation.
Some countries were quick to congratulate Turkey and Armenia on their agreement to mend strained relations. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in his congratulatory message that Paris applauds the move, adding that Ankara-Yerevan normalization will be a historic development promoting stability in the region, according to the French presidential administration.
The United States welcomed the initiative as well. The US State Department said normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.
"We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement. "We remain ready to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability throughout the region."
Signs of a warming in Turkish-Armenian relations discerned after Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match together with his counterpart Serzh Sarkisian in Yerevan in September 2008. Further, Gul invited his Armenian counterpart to Turkey for a return game, due October 14. Also, the two governments agreed to a comprehensive "roadmap" this past April to normalize relations. However, Ankara has made clear that it could fully normalize ties with Yerevan only after the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict is settled, i.e. after Armenia pulls out of the occupied Azerbaijani territories. The Armenian president, in turn, said he will not travel to the game, unless the Turkish-Armenian border reopens by then or there are clear signs it is about to open.
Turkish analysts say that, though some verbal agreements have been reached with Armenia, challenges will emerge with their enforcement. The pundits reminded that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during a visit to Baku in May that Turkey will not open up its border with the neighboring country so long as it occupies Azerbaijan`s territories. Turkish commentators said discussions on the Upper Garabagh conflict are underway simultaneously with talks on the mentioned protocols. It is likely that following the mentioned six weeks, a timeframe will be set for the pullout of the Armenian armed forces from the seven Azerbaijani districts around Upper Garabagh.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said opening the border with Armenia is not on agenda at this point. Ankara`s main expectations are Yerevan`s relinquishing its claims on the alleged genocide and a settlement to the Garabagh conflict. Davutoglu pledged that Azerbaijan`s interests will be met during all stages of the process, voicing hope that it will positively affect Azerbaijan-Armenia relations.
"The Turkish parliament may not ratify the protocols if it sees no progress in the resolution of the Upper Garabagh conflict. Turkey links the opening of its border with Armenia with the solution of the Garabagh problem," Davutoglu said during a visit to Northern Cyprus on Tuesday.
Moreover, Prime Minister Erdogan reportedly phoned Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev several days ago. Also, the Turkish foreign minister`s adviser, Firudin Sinirlioglu, and aide Unal Cevikoz visited Azerbaijan for consultations. Analyst Sinan Ogan believes this indicates that Ankara is informing Baku about its ongoing talks with Yerevan and taking into consideration Azerbaijan`s interests.
Elkhan Polukhov, the spokesman for the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry, has commented that holding talks on normalization of relations is a sovereign right of both Turkey and Armenia, however, Azerbaijan`s interests should be honored in the process.
"Turkey`s position on Armenia is known," said Polukhov. "Ankara has repeatedly stated that until the Upper Garabagh conflict is resolved, the Turkish-Armenian border will not open. This stance was stated by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in the Milli Majlis (parliament) during his visit to Azerbaijan this May."
Polukhov added that opening of the Turkish-Armenian border at this point would contradict Azerbaijan`s interests.
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has come out against linking the agreement reached with Turkey to the Upper Garabagh problem.
"The agreement on normalization of ties reached between Turkey and Armenia has no bearing on the Garabagh conflict," he claimed while addressing Armenian diplomats.
Further, Sarkisian noted that problems related to mending ties and the border opening cannot be solved overnight.
"This is a major process and a laborious job. Consultations on several principles are currently underway with Turkey. Even if the protocols are signed, several issues will remain open. In the following stages, other disputed principles will be discussed."
Analysts say reopening the border and establishing ties with Armenia would facilitate Turkey`s bid to join the European Union. It would also give landlocked Armenia, which is facing an economic predicament, access to Turkish and European markets.