“Opening of borders between Turkey and Armenia will ease the tension in Caucasus. On the other hand, it is not certain if Turkey will continue this process,” said Charles Tannock, Spokesman on the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.
English politician said that the relations between two countries is under the shade of 1915 events since a century. “Protocols were the highest point that the relations had reached. And the question is whether these protocols will take effect or not,” he said.
Tannock said, “Of cource there are criticisms that accuse Turkey of making vain gestures to impress Western World. Armenia will benefit normalization of relations more than Turkey because of the isolation and its static economy. On the other hand, Turkey needs normalization for more progress in EU membership and to strengthen its position as a regional actor. But Turkey’s policy became clear when Turkish officials announced that borders will not be opened unless Nagorno-Karabakh problem is resolved.”
English diplomat said, “Experts were hoping for Turkish-Armenian normalization tourge Azerbaijan to make significant proposals towards resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But that did not happen. Azerbaijani administration knows that making concessions in Nagorno-Karabakh will bea political victory for Turkey-Armenia rapprochement which will result in opening of borders. And such development would conflict with Azerbaijan’s interests since Armenia will become more independent.”
Tannock said that it is up to Turkey to bring the normalization process to an end with ignoring the reaction of Azerbaijan. English diplomat said that opening of borders will ease the tension in Caucasus and that such development would be towards the interests of EU.
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