Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan stated that he will cancel his visit to Turkey if the state border between two countries is not opened till the soccer game in October.
Sarksyan said, “I will visit Turkey only if the borders are opened and if we are at the threshold of termination of the blockade of Armenia.”
Last year, President Abdullah Gul had visited Armenia to watch the soccer game between Turkish and Armenian national teams following the invitation of Armenian President.
Armenian President was expected to respond this visit and come to Turkey for the return game. Therefore, is the recent statement of Armenian President means the football diplomacy has failed?
We asked this question to Istanbul Kultur University International Relations Department lecturer Doctor Mensur Akgun.
Turkish expert said, “First of all, the process of normalization has started already. Even if Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan does not come to Turkey, the normalization process will still be on. But, of cource we need to understand the position of Mr. Sarksyan too, because he was given some kind of hope. Obviously Turkey-Armenia relations was not indexed to the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan during the rapprochement talks in Switzerland. But it is for sure that everybody knew that it was an
We should accept that these events and the statements of Prime Minister Erdogan at Azerbaijani Parliament disappointed Armenians. But we should not forget that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan is far more important and deeper than Turkish-Armenian relations both in political and economical aspects.“
Mensur Akgun said, “Foreign policy principle of the government is zero problems with neighbouring countries. Therefore, when there is a neighbouring country which we have no relation at all, enforcement of such policy principle is not possible. I believe that this potential will be used both by Turkey and Armenia.”
“If a concrete progress could be achived in the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, i believe that the relations between Turkey and Armenia will be normalized,” said he.
Mentioning aboutthe process of resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkishexpert said, “I believe that progress will be made in the negotiations. But that is not sure if it will happen before or after the soccer game between Turkish and Armenian national teams. It will be upon the steps that will be made by Armenia whether parties will make progress in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and consequently if Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan will visit Turkey or not. If Armenians decide to withdraw their military from some of the occupied regions, it will be welcomed by Azerbaijani party. And therefore Turkey and Armenia will be able to establish normal relations. And process of normalization of relations will progress immediately and faster than we expect.”
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
