About six months have passed since Turkey and Armenia signed the Zurich protocols. But both countries have not ratified the protocols in their parliaments yet. Turkey waits protocols in the parliament and Armenia presented it to the approval of Constitutional Court as a matter of the legal process in the country. Soon they will introduce the protocols to the approval of the parliament.
The process is progressing slowly and neighbouring countries do not have diplomatic relations. The borders are closed since 1993 and it takes 40 hours to drive Yerevan from Turkey although the actual distance is half an hour.
The country that is responsible of this tragicomic situation is Armenia, as it still keeps Azerbaijani lands under occupation. They go on to use so called Armenian genocide allegations as a political material against Turkey. As they do not recognize Turkey’s territorial integrity, some of them still dream of having the control of Eastern Anatolia to revive “Great Armenia”.
Despite all these, Turkey made a brave step and signed Zurich protocols within the frames of “zero problems with neighbors” foreign policy principal. The only purpose for the step was developing the relations and contributing regional peace. Opening of borders with Armenia is not very important issue for Turkey in commercial aspects. If the process will not be in the favor of peace, it would be a mistake to make steps with assuming that it will ease the so called genocide pressure.
Armenia, which has problems with the three of four neighboring countries, certainly needs a reform in its foreign policies. And that can only happen through international pressure. Withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from 5 of 7 occupied regions of Azerbaijan may be thought as a sign of reform. Opening of borders in current situation would be a life line support for Armenia where 20% of people had fled away because of tough conditions.
In these circumstances, decision of Armenian Constitutional Court over Turkey-Armenia protocols is a blow to the process. Turkish Foreign Ministry evaluates the clauses over “regional stability”, “recognition of internationally recognized borders”, “committee of historians” as “regional stability including Karabakh region”, “recognition of borders with respect to treaty of Kars” and “committee of historians which will handle the issue of so called Armenian genocide” respectively. The detailed ruling of Armenian Constitutional Court blocks implemention of these clauses.
Now Turkey tries to express mediators and Armenia that justified ruling of the Armenian court wrecks the process. Besides the current ambiguous decision of the court, it is stated that approval of Constitutional Court is required for every step in the process.
Let’s assume that Turkey opened the borders and two countries opened embassies. What will happen if Armenian Court rejects establishment of Committee of Historians? Why would Turkey make step in such conditions?
Turkish Foreign Ministry does not evaluate the decision as a “positive act” and calls Armenia to guarantee that justified decision of the court will not affect following steps in the process.
Foreign Ministry believes that Armenia is again in the “April mood” as United States introduced a resolution to the U.S. Congress toward recognition of so called Armenian genocide.
There is something wrong for sure, let’s see if it is because of Turkey or Armenia’s mistakes…
Erhan BASYURT/Bugun
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