, despite its omission of the "g-word." But cool heads in Ankara and Yerevan urge the Turkish government to remain steadfast in its ongoing dialogue with Armenia.
"Given the unique opportunity now before us, we can only hope that Turkey and Armenia will be able to move forward together, coming to terms with the legacy of the past, but based on a shared commitment to the future," said Richard Giragosian, the director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies in Yerevan. Speaking to Today's Zaman, he said, "There is a new sense of opportunity from within Turkey evident in the dynamic and genuine nature of change within the country and with a growing and increasingly critical examination of the past." Giragosian believes the Turkish efforts in this process are sincere and should be supported.
"Much more than any 'public relations' ploy or political tactic, this effort now under way within Turkey today to set aside previous taboos regarding many issues, ranging from the Kurdish issue to the Armenian genocide, must be encouraged," he noted.
"The dialogue process must go on despite all pressures to break it down," said Ersin Onulduran, who heads the department of international relations at Ankara University. In an interview with Today's Zaman, Onulduran questioned what Turkey has gained so far by keeping the border closed and imposing an embargo on Armenia. "Armenians have not changed their position one bit," he said. "With increasing trade and more active engagement, we can greatly benefit from normalization and help lift the pressure applied on us by the international community," Onulduran explained.
Yet the grievances and concerns raised by Azerbaijan continue to be a major stumbling block to the process despite all assurances having been given to Baku by the president and prime minister of Turkey, both of whom had said Ankara would never endanger Azerbaijani interests. "I think the Azerbaijanis are acting emotionally and are playing a dangerous game with Russia," said Onulduran, stressing that the Turkish government cannot allow its foreign policy to be hijacked by the Azerbaijanis.
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