South Caucasus expert: Erdogan will ask Barack Obama to keep up the pressure on Armenia

Senior research fellow at the European Policy Center and an expert on Southern Caucasus Amanda Paul commented on a number of issues, in particular touched upon the upcoming visit of Turkish PM’s to USA, and the possible military actions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"I would imagine that PM Erdogan's visit to Washington will see the usual subjects on the agenda.  Clearly the timing is significant and Erdogan will no doubt be using the opportunity to demonstrate that Turkey is still committed to its rapprochment with Armenia but express Turkey's strong concerns over the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court while at the same time ask President Obama to keep up the pressure on Armenia and Azerbaijan in the negotiations for the nagorno-karabakh problem" she said.

As far as the occupied Azerbaijani territories are concerned, Paul believes, that starting second war is not the best possible solution to the problem.

"It is crystal clear that Armenia will not be leaving the occupied territories any time soon.  Only once the two leaders have agreed a peace deal.  Whether the current talks on the "basic principle" will reach a fruitful conclusion still remains to be seen.  A new war is not the answer to the problem.  The only way forward is via diplomacy and negotiations.  A second war is not the answer.  It would have disastrous consequences for the people involved, who have already witnessed enough death and horror.  There would be more death and further displacement of innocent people. Besides, there are no quarantees in a war", she pointed out.


T. Teymur