Today.Az » Politics » Political scientist: Armenia is concerned with the fact that external forces press on it to be more flexible
21 May 2009 [10:15] - Today.Az
Day.Az interview with political scientist Rasim Agayev.
- The Armenian side claims that Turkey has signed the "road map", in pursuit of their interests, to avoid mentioning of the word "genocide" by U.S. President Barack Obama in his speech on April 24, and that, having achieved it it has sharply changed its policy on this issue. Is that so?
- Yes it is. The diplomacy of Turkey towards Armenia began to emerge long before Obama got into the president's chair. This is a well-known diplomacy, including the "football", which is not dictated by who is a US president today. It is based on the strategic directions of the Turkish policy related to its policy of integration with the European Union and the understanding by the Turkish political leadership and the establishment and, in general, the Turkish society in general that the Armenian issue, as well as Kurdish one, can be settled. It can not be left for later because it impedes the realization of short-and long-term Turkish plans. That is what is at stake.
In this regard, in April, it was a tactically correct step in activize this direction, the Turks were tactically interested in doing something like that the day before Obama's visit and in connection with the fact that Armenians as usual have strengthened the information pressure on Turkey and the American public opinion. And this pressure was to be neutralized.
However, Turkey is well aware of its strategic course, which was consistent with the policies of America, with the policy of Europe, who consider this geopolitical foothold as very important for the further development of global processes and solutions to global problems.
- Do the statements Prime Minister Erdogan made in Baku mean that there has been put an end to the continuation of negotiations towards a warming of relations with Yerevan?
- No, the things are not like that. Nothing has been decided and Obama could not solve the two most serious problems that accumulated over decades by his only statement. So I think that is an imaginary view, since the course, which Turkey chose together with Azerbaijan, has also a political dimension. That is due to activation of Turkey and Azerbaijan the international public opinion realized who hinders the solution of these problems. That is the matter.
Turkey is ready to normalize relations with Armenia, and Azerbaijan is also ready. That is, they have initiated the peace process which can move forward only under Yerevan's consent. But Armenia is not ready for a peaceful solution of the issue, Armenia would like to rattle its weapons, would be willing to continue to exert pressure on the two countries under support of Europeans, Americans and Russians. Armenia's trouble is that they can not understand that Europe, America and Russia sympathize with and help support her, but in this case the value of the entire region where the interests of external powers are concentrated at this time outweigh the value they attach to Armenia. Therefore, they hint to Armenia that should not be abut anymore. This is what Armenia is concerned with.
- At what stage is now the situation around the "road map" between Ankara and Yerevan? Does the use of this document continue?
- The road map is, in fact, a protocol of intent. This document, which is already attached to the process. If any agreement is reached, it may well be used for work.
/Day.Az/
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