Mixed responses to Turkish-Armenian rapprochement bid
The opposition in Turkey and Armenia have criticized
the latest agreement reached by the two countries to normalize
their strained relations, despite the world community`s welcoming
the move.
Early last week, Ankara and Yerevan agreed with Swiss mediation to begin negotiations on forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations in a bid to end a century of hostility. The two countries announced, in a joint statement, that they would complete domestic consultations over two protocols within six weeks, to be followed by their ratification in the Turkish and Armenian parliaments.
The Armenian National Congress, led by Levon Ter-Petrosian, the opposition leader and former president, has said restoring cooperation meets the interests of both nations and the intent to sign the protocols could be considered progress toward establishing diplomatic ties. The Congress claimed, however, that it was unacceptable to include in the documents a provision on setting up an intergovernmental commission of historians, which questions the alleged genocide of Armenians.
The Armenian opposition also said the planned legislative approval of the protocols raises concerns.
``This enables President Serzh Sarkisian to share responsibility with parliament, while Turkey could delay the ratification under the pretext of the unresolved status of the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, postponing the reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border,`` the Congress said in a statement.
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 ``roadmap`` to normalize Turkish-Armenian ties was announced in April, but the August 31 verbal agreements are considered the first real move toward reaching that goal.
The Armenian Volunteers bloc labeled the agreements with Turkey as ``treason of the criminal Serzh Sarkisian authorities``, calling on Armenians worldwide to vehemently oppose the intended signing of the protocols.
Armenians residing in Istanbul welcomed the signs of improvement in Turkish-Armenian relations and now plan to give an iftar dinner for Muslims in the courtyard of Surp Grigor Lusavorich Yekeghetsi (the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral) in the Kinaliada Island located in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul. Azan, a call for Muslim prayer, will be read at the church, as well, the Turkish Jihan news agency reported.
The organizer of the iftar ceremony, Levon Shadyan, who heads the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral in Turkey, lauded the agreements reached between Turkey and Armenia.
``The problems with our neighbor should be solved,`` he said. ``You have a neighbor, but you don`t open the door. But if you do open it, he will understand you and you will understand him.``
The cleric noted, with a great deal of satisfaction, that Turkish-made goods are sold in 98 percent of Armenian stores and, if the border reopens, these goods will be delivered directly, without passing through third countries.
Ara Kochunyan, the editor of the Armenian-language Jamanak newspaper, published in Turkey for over a century, also said the agreements reached by the two countries inspire optimism in both nations.
But the Turkish opposition and newspapers delivered a tough response to the rapprochement. Turkish opposition parties urged the government not to re-establish relations until the Garabagh conflict is settled.
``Parliament shouldn`t approve the steps announced unless Armenia ends its occupation of the territories belonging to Azerbaijan,`` Osman Cakir, deputy chairman of the Nationalist Action Party, and Onur Oymen, deputy chairman of the Republican People`s Party, told NTV channel.
MP Rashad Dogru told the Baku-based ATV channel that the opposition would air its grievances in the legislature in the coming days.
Oktay Ekshi, a senior writer for the influential Hurriyet newspaper, commented: ``The uproar around these two protocols will not subside soon, because this will bring about either forging bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia while disrupting Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, or everything will collapse.``
Mehmet Yilmaz, another Hurriyet writer, believes the signing of the protocols would be tantamount to Turkey`s giving up its assertion that ``it won`t open the border until the Garabagh conflict is resolved.``
Barcin Yinanc, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, told Radio Liberty that, despite the rhetoric of Turkish officials, the fact that Upper Garabagh was not cited in the formal version of the protocols came as a surprise. Nor do the documents cite that Armenian armed forces occupy part of Azerbaijani territory. According to the Hurriyet editor, this could be described as the outcome of a political compromise.
International groups welcomed the Turkish and Armenian initiatives to mend bilateral ties, following similar messages from the French and US governments.
The European Commission called on the two countries to act expeditiously to normalize ties. The organization said that the agreements reached would promote peace in the Caucasus.
``The European Commission attaches great importance to the signing and enforcement of the protocol on restoring diplomatic ties and of the protocol on developing bilateral relations.``
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the acting Secretary General of the Council of Europe, ``strongly welcomed`` the Turkish-Armenian agreement to sign two protocols.
``This is a historic event for both countries and the region,`` Boer-Buquicchio said in Strasbourg. ``It will help to normalize relations between two member states of the Council of Europe and I would like to encourage the two countries to continue on the path which will help to improve the stability in this part of Europe.``
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, also indicated that Turkey and Armenia`s plan to start talks aiming to normalize bilateral relations would contribute to regional stability.
``The establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia would be a positive step, not just for the South Caucasus region, but also beyond,`` Bakoyannis said. ``I warmly welcome this positive step toward normalization of ties between two OSCE participating states.``
Bakoyannis called on both sides to build on the positive momentum achieved in the Swiss-led talks.
Russia, a neghbor of both Turkey and Armenia, praised their latest drive for a rapprochement. Its foreign ministry emphasized that both countries are friendly states, and Moscow deems the progress as ``a natural and anticipated process.`` ``We would be very glad if these consultations, which are a domestic affair, result in substantive agreements,`` the ministry said.
The Russian government believes that none of the steps envisioned in the proposed protocols could be detrimental to any third party, apparently hinting at Azerbaijan.
Baku noted 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.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier said the opening of the border with Armenia is not on the 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 would be met during all stages of the process.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during a visit to Baku in May that Turkey would not open up its border with Armenia as long as it occupies Azerbaijan`s territories.
However, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian claims the border is expected to open on January 1, 2010. Nalbandian alleged that the process of mending ties with Turkey has no bearing on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, saying the co-chairs of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group support this stance.
As for Baku`s tough position on the prospect of the border opening, the Armenian minister said the changes taking place in the turbulent region would benefit Azerbaijan as well.
Further, Nalbandian said Yerevan would strive to join all regional projects if its relations with Ankara normalize.
Turkey`s Star newspaper reported quoting a source from the country`s energy ministry that the energy balance would be altered in the region if the Turkish and Armenian parliaments ratify the two protocols. The report claimed that, following approval of the documents, technical changes would occur in the project on the Nabucco pipeline, which seeks to pump Caspian and Central Asian gas to European markets, and the European Union is likely to call for the pipeline to pass through Armenia, rather than Georgia.
According to the Star, the EU has long been seeking to have Armenia join the project, with France being the most arduous supporter. Pointing out that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline passes through Georgia, which faced a military incursion by Russian troops in August 2008, the 27-member bloc considers it to be risky to route another key pipeline through the country. Therefore, it believes Armenia is an alternative transit state for energy supplies, the Star said.
Early last week, Ankara and Yerevan agreed with Swiss mediation to begin negotiations on forging diplomatic ties and developing bilateral relations in a bid to end a century of hostility. The two countries announced, in a joint statement, that they would complete domestic consultations over two protocols within six weeks, to be followed by their ratification in the Turkish and Armenian parliaments.
The Armenian National Congress, led by Levon Ter-Petrosian, the opposition leader and former president, has said restoring cooperation meets the interests of both nations and the intent to sign the protocols could be considered progress toward establishing diplomatic ties. The Congress claimed, however, that it was unacceptable to include in the documents a provision on setting up an intergovernmental commission of historians, which questions the alleged genocide of Armenians.
The Armenian opposition also said the planned legislative approval of the protocols raises concerns.
``This enables President Serzh Sarkisian to share responsibility with parliament, while Turkey could delay the ratification under the pretext of the unresolved status of the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, postponing the reopening of the Turkish-Armenian border,`` the Congress said in a statement.
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 ``roadmap`` to normalize Turkish-Armenian ties was announced in April, but the August 31 verbal agreements are considered the first real move toward reaching that goal.
The Armenian Volunteers bloc labeled the agreements with Turkey as ``treason of the criminal Serzh Sarkisian authorities``, calling on Armenians worldwide to vehemently oppose the intended signing of the protocols.
Armenians residing in Istanbul welcomed the signs of improvement in Turkish-Armenian relations and now plan to give an iftar dinner for Muslims in the courtyard of Surp Grigor Lusavorich Yekeghetsi (the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral) in the Kinaliada Island located in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul. Azan, a call for Muslim prayer, will be read at the church, as well, the Turkish Jihan news agency reported.
The organizer of the iftar ceremony, Levon Shadyan, who heads the Saint Gregory the Ilumminator Cathedral in Turkey, lauded the agreements reached between Turkey and Armenia.
``The problems with our neighbor should be solved,`` he said. ``You have a neighbor, but you don`t open the door. But if you do open it, he will understand you and you will understand him.``
The cleric noted, with a great deal of satisfaction, that Turkish-made goods are sold in 98 percent of Armenian stores and, if the border reopens, these goods will be delivered directly, without passing through third countries.
Ara Kochunyan, the editor of the Armenian-language Jamanak newspaper, published in Turkey for over a century, also said the agreements reached by the two countries inspire optimism in both nations.
But the Turkish opposition and newspapers delivered a tough response to the rapprochement. Turkish opposition parties urged the government not to re-establish relations until the Garabagh conflict is settled.
``Parliament shouldn`t approve the steps announced unless Armenia ends its occupation of the territories belonging to Azerbaijan,`` Osman Cakir, deputy chairman of the Nationalist Action Party, and Onur Oymen, deputy chairman of the Republican People`s Party, told NTV channel.
MP Rashad Dogru told the Baku-based ATV channel that the opposition would air its grievances in the legislature in the coming days.
Oktay Ekshi, a senior writer for the influential Hurriyet newspaper, commented: ``The uproar around these two protocols will not subside soon, because this will bring about either forging bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia while disrupting Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, or everything will collapse.``
Mehmet Yilmaz, another Hurriyet writer, believes the signing of the protocols would be tantamount to Turkey`s giving up its assertion that ``it won`t open the border until the Garabagh conflict is resolved.``
Barcin Yinanc, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, told Radio Liberty that, despite the rhetoric of Turkish officials, the fact that Upper Garabagh was not cited in the formal version of the protocols came as a surprise. Nor do the documents cite that Armenian armed forces occupy part of Azerbaijani territory. According to the Hurriyet editor, this could be described as the outcome of a political compromise.
International groups welcomed the Turkish and Armenian initiatives to mend bilateral ties, following similar messages from the French and US governments.
The European Commission called on the two countries to act expeditiously to normalize ties. The organization said that the agreements reached would promote peace in the Caucasus.
``The European Commission attaches great importance to the signing and enforcement of the protocol on restoring diplomatic ties and of the protocol on developing bilateral relations.``
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, the acting Secretary General of the Council of Europe, ``strongly welcomed`` the Turkish-Armenian agreement to sign two protocols.
``This is a historic event for both countries and the region,`` Boer-Buquicchio said in Strasbourg. ``It will help to normalize relations between two member states of the Council of Europe and I would like to encourage the two countries to continue on the path which will help to improve the stability in this part of Europe.``
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, also indicated that Turkey and Armenia`s plan to start talks aiming to normalize bilateral relations would contribute to regional stability.
``The establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia would be a positive step, not just for the South Caucasus region, but also beyond,`` Bakoyannis said. ``I warmly welcome this positive step toward normalization of ties between two OSCE participating states.``
Bakoyannis called on both sides to build on the positive momentum achieved in the Swiss-led talks.
Russia, a neghbor of both Turkey and Armenia, praised their latest drive for a rapprochement. Its foreign ministry emphasized that both countries are friendly states, and Moscow deems the progress as ``a natural and anticipated process.`` ``We would be very glad if these consultations, which are a domestic affair, result in substantive agreements,`` the ministry said.
The Russian government believes that none of the steps envisioned in the proposed protocols could be detrimental to any third party, apparently hinting at Azerbaijan.
Baku noted 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.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier said the opening of the border with Armenia is not on the 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 would be met during all stages of the process.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated during a visit to Baku in May that Turkey would not open up its border with Armenia as long as it occupies Azerbaijan`s territories.
However, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian claims the border is expected to open on January 1, 2010. Nalbandian alleged that the process of mending ties with Turkey has no bearing on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, saying the co-chairs of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group support this stance.
As for Baku`s tough position on the prospect of the border opening, the Armenian minister said the changes taking place in the turbulent region would benefit Azerbaijan as well.
Further, Nalbandian said Yerevan would strive to join all regional projects if its relations with Ankara normalize.
Turkey`s Star newspaper reported quoting a source from the country`s energy ministry that the energy balance would be altered in the region if the Turkish and Armenian parliaments ratify the two protocols. The report claimed that, following approval of the documents, technical changes would occur in the project on the Nabucco pipeline, which seeks to pump Caspian and Central Asian gas to European markets, and the European Union is likely to call for the pipeline to pass through Armenia, rather than Georgia.
According to the Star, the EU has long been seeking to have Armenia join the project, with France being the most arduous supporter. Pointing out that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline passes through Georgia, which faced a military incursion by Russian troops in August 2008, the 27-member bloc considers it to be risky to route another key pipeline through the country. Therefore, it believes Armenia is an alternative transit state for energy supplies, the Star said.
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