Azeri Official Comments on Turkish Armenian border
In an unbelievably clumsy yet characteristic way, a high-level Azeri official claimed today that the opening of Armenian-Turkish border “would raise tensions in the region and worsen the current situation in the Caucasus.” In a report published by the Turkish official propaganda outlet, Journal of Turkish Weekly, Novruz Mehmedov, Senior Adviser to the President of Azerbaijan, went on to note:
On the so-called Armenian Genocide that until recently Turkey has remained indifferent, Mehmedov suggested, “Turkey could have brought about a solution before entering the 21st century.”
Such rhetoric from Baku may betray a high level of anxiety about the prospects for opening the Armenian-Turkish border. Not that Turkey wants to do that, but there are now reports that the EU may make it a condition of accession talks with Turkey. The normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations will have both immediate and long-term impacts, mostly on Azerbaijan’s willingness to accept the inevitable resolution of the NK conflict.
Although most Armenian experts, including the much-respected former Economy Minister Armen Yeghiazarian, view the Armenian-Turkish border opening from purely economic perspective, the political dimension of border - including NK settlement - is more important as it was the reason for Turkey’s closing the border in 1993.
Opening the boarder with Turkey might do Armenia more harm than good. Turkey harbours ill feelings towards Armenia and an open boarder would give it opportunity to wage an economic war against Armenia. What Armenia needs is security guarantees and international help. We are not playing on a level playing field.
Comment by Alan Haroutonian — 7/1/2005 @ 9:25 am
On the contrary, Turkey is waging an economic war against Armenia behind the closed border. Opening the border will allow us to ‘reciprocate.’ The advantage lies not so much in reducing the transportation costs as in tapping into the agricultural surplus of the Kars and Igdir provinces to support Armenia’s food processing industry. It will firmly orient those provinces towards Armenia - and that’s exactly what Ankara fears.
Comment by Hovakim — 7/1/2005 @ 3:04 pm
Hovakim, are you saying that with open boarders, Turkey will allow open trade? They can introduce a mountain of red tape, tarrifs, excise etc to continue the current situation. All I see is a reduction in transport costs.
Comment by Alan Haroutunian — 7/2/2005 @ 4:04 am
Armenian government DOES NOT even recognize the current border between Armenia and Turkey. Therefore, why should Turkey open the border?
For Turkey-Azerbaijan connection, Kars-Tiflis-Baku railway will alleviate the transportation problem posed by the Armenian government. Again no need for Armenian railways.
In terms of trade, Turkish exports to Armenia will comprise a tiny fraction of Turkish foreign trade, hence, we don’t need it at all.
Considering the possibility of improving mutual relations, it’s very unlikely. Armenians are literally full of hatred and they want vindication, revenge, territorial gain, etc. Nothing Turkey can do, except giving half of our land to Armenians and paying the diaspora a hundred billion US dollars, will make them content, let alone friendly.
The funniest of all is the argument claiming that we need to do it for pleasing EU. Support for EU went down from almost 80% in 2000s to around 55% in 2006. Unless Armenia recognizes the current border, give in to Azeri demands on Daglik-Karabag and give up genocide claims (all 3 very improbable, if not impossible), EU and France in particular cant do anything. We’d rather not get into EU, than give Armenians an arm and a leg. And if Turkey ever makes its way into EU before a resolution on Armenian problem, Turkey will have a stronger hand in further negotiations with Armenia. (Like Cyprus does against Turkey right now)
Turko-Rus relations also improving compared to ’90’s. If Russia cuts a deal with Turkey to counter PKK and Tchechen operations in turn, without Russian support Armenia will be further isolated in the Caucus. By the way, Georgia has already Abhaz separatists, thus will never support Armenians and Daglik Karabag against Azerbaijan. Plus, there is a significant Armenian minority in Georgia, which raises the curious question that whether Great Armenia project will try to rip a chunk off Georgian territory when done with Daglik-Karabag.
Overall, by attacking/working against all their neighbors, Armenians alienated themselves in the region. How far European and diaspora support will take Armenian economy is uncertain.
Regards
Comment by terranova — 8/12/2006 @ 2:21 am
Hey Terranova,
Don’t be so hard on us. It may happen that some of your ancestors were also Armenians… And in that case your grand-grandma will come to you during the night… Booo!
Comment by Հայաստանցի — 8/14/2006 @ 2:45 pm