The normalization process that was started in Geneva on April 22 as a result of agreement reached with Armenia, is now seem to be chocked up with the statements of Prime Minister Erdogan in Baku related to precondition of resolution of Karabakh conflict for normalization of relations with Armenia. With other words, it is not clear whether this process is in a deadlock or it is possible to be revitalized.
This issue is discussed in a panel that is arranged by Politic, Economic and Social Researches Foundation (SETA) and Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Istanbul with attendance of academics, politicians and writers from Armenia. In both conferences attendants discussed if the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia will go on or not.
Here is a summary of the points that are discussed:
1) Statements of Prime Minister Erdogan in Baku pointing Turkey assumes resolution of Karabakh conflict as a precondition for normalization of relations with Armenia, caused disappointment and skepticism in Yerevan about future of normalization process. In both conferences, Armenian attendants stated that the process of resolution of Karabakh conflict will take so long and if normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia should be related to that issue the process will stop by itself.
2) Some of the Turkish attendants shared this opinion of Armenian attendants but meantime they mentioned about "two parallel processes". They suggested that process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia could be continued parallel to the process of resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. There is another point in this context: First step that Turkey expects from Armenia is withdrawal of Armenian forces from seven surrounding regions of Nagorno-Karabakh and give a signal for its desire for resolution. That will let Turkey to open its borders with Armenia.
3) Actually Yerevan waits fort he revitalization of normalization process by Turkish initiative. So, they expect Turkey to make a step. If Turkey does not hold a new initiative towatds borders and diplomatical relations, this process will be bodily death.
4) Turkish diplomacy does not want for normalization process to be died. It searches for the possibilities towards its revitalization and achiving progress. Diplomatical contacts initiated with related countries in this aspect. On the other hand Turkey presses OSCE Minks Group to show more efforts for the resolution of the conflict.
Briefly, it is clear that there is a situation of obstruction in the process of normalization. But the interesting and hope giving issue is that both sides do not want the normalization process to be shelved. In other words, Turkey and Armenia finds survival of normalization process beneficial. For Turkey, this process is important for its role in Caucasus and for its contribution to the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh problem. In fact, this importance is in place for Azerbaijan too. And for Armenia, this process means shattering its walls and having a gate to the world.
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