Efforts to mend Turkish-Armenian ties `order from US`
The initiative by Turkey and Armenia to normalize
their strained relations is due to pressure from the White House, a
Turkish politician has said.
Husamettin Cindoruk, Turkey`s former parliament speaker and Democratic Party chairman, told Dogan news agency that US President Barack Obama`s recent address to the Turkish legislature ``contained a part that was more of an order than advice.`` Due to that statement, the issue of normalizing ties with Armenia has now come into the spotlight, Cindoruk said.
On August 31, Ankara and Yerevan agreed to participate in Swiss mediation to begin discussions on forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations. The two countries announced they would complete domestic consultations over two protocols within six weeks, to be followed by ratification in their parliaments. The protocols ultimately seek to open the Turkish-Armenian border.
Cindoruk noted that the normalization issue should be addressed not only bilaterally, but with the participation of Azerbaijan.
``Any agreement not involving Azerbaijan will not be adopted anyhow,`` the former Turkish speaker added.
Turkey and Armenia have been at odds, and their shared border has been shut, since 1993 due to Armenia`s policy of occupying Azerbaijani territory and Armenian claims of World War I-era genocide. The latest agreements are considered the first substantial move toward normalizing ties between Ankara and Yerevan. The US government welcomed the initiative, saying the normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe, and urged Armenia and Turkey ``to proceed expeditiously.``
Husamettin Cindoruk, Turkey`s former parliament speaker and Democratic Party chairman, told Dogan news agency that US President Barack Obama`s recent address to the Turkish legislature ``contained a part that was more of an order than advice.`` Due to that statement, the issue of normalizing ties with Armenia has now come into the spotlight, Cindoruk said.
On August 31, Ankara and Yerevan agreed to participate in Swiss mediation to begin discussions on forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations. The two countries announced they would complete domestic consultations over two protocols within six weeks, to be followed by ratification in their parliaments. The protocols ultimately seek to open the Turkish-Armenian border.
Cindoruk noted that the normalization issue should be addressed not only bilaterally, but with the participation of Azerbaijan.
``Any agreement not involving Azerbaijan will not be adopted anyhow,`` the former Turkish speaker added.
Turkey and Armenia have been at odds, and their shared border has been shut, since 1993 due to Armenia`s policy of occupying Azerbaijani territory and Armenian claims of World War I-era genocide. The latest agreements are considered the first substantial move toward normalizing ties between Ankara and Yerevan. The US government welcomed the initiative, saying the normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe, and urged Armenia and Turkey ``to proceed expeditiously.``
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