Historyoftruth reprints an interview by Armenian news agency ArmInfo's Oksana Musaelyan with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Q: Minister, you are the architect of the policy of “zero problems with neighbours”, according to which Turkey says it has no enemies among its neighbours. There is a qualification, however – the lack of relations with Armenia. Do the Turkish authorities have the will to remove this qualification?
A: It is true that we want to free our relations with our neighbours from all problems. Initially, this may seem somewhat too idealistic.
Nevertheless, it is the right course to pursue. It is also the cornerstone of a greater foreign policy vision. We want to be able to determine the course of events in our region in a manner that can serve peace and stability best, and make a positive impact to global developments to that end. This is particularly important now when we are going through a time of great transformations and when the potential impact of our policies is greater than ever.
Let me put it this way: change is perhaps the only constant in life. But change has never been this fast and interaction this intense. This vigour brings about many new opportunities and, sad to say, plenty of evolving threats. Actually many parts of the world are still grappling with local conflicts, crises and unresolved issues. The total peace, security and stability we all yearn for remains elusive. Amidst all this, the world is yet to find order.
We must tackle intermingling challenges in an all-encompassing manner. No one has the luxury of being a mere spectator in international relations any more. We must be proactive; aiming first at preventing, rather than solving, when it comes to crises. Working the way from the regional to the global level is also imperative.
As such, every country must endeavour to forge solid regional building blocks that carry the potential of stimulating each other and creating a synergy in global peace and stability efforts. And in order to achieve this, we must build an environment of trust and confidence as well as develop a sense of ownership of regional problems, promote dialogue and mutual confidence, and give everyone a stake in cooperating with each other
This is exactly what Turkey is doing. Our task becomes even more daring in the face of the fact that many of the problems affecting world peace and security are taking place in Turkey’s vicinity. Equipped with a wide range of assets emanating from our history, social and cultural ties, growing economic capabilities and above all, our ability to understand different dynamics at play in a vast area from Europe to Asia, Turkey is in a most suitable position for major contributions in this sense.
Naturally, this vision also includes our relations with Armenia.
Our “zero problems with neighbours” is an expression of our foreign policy objective to build peaceful and mutually rewarding relations with all our neighbours. When compared to previous decades, Turkey’s relations with its neighbours have indeed improved considerably. This means that our policy works. Countries around us appreciate and make use of this policy. They have seen that if they respond positively when Turkey extends a hand, all sides win politically, economically and socially. In fact, Turkey’s serious engagement leading to the signing of the Protocols with Armenia was a concrete reflection of our policy of zero problems and our positive vision for the region. I hope Armenia will also recognize this fully and become a partner not only for Turkey but for its other neighbours as well, rather than remaining as the missing link. I realize that, given the habits of the earlier state of affairs in our region, it is not easy to make this mental transition towards greater mutual understanding and trust. But it can be done if there is enough political will and wisdom. By signing the Protocols, we made a promising start with Armenia; we need to continue.
The world has changed and we all can benefit from it if we adapt with a positive mindset. Turkey has been enjoying this new spirit. Armenia too can join the process and embrace the new possibilities with an open mind. There is a bigger and brighter picture in which Armenia can find a place for itself. The starting point for Armenia should be to demonstrate that it does seek constructive relations with all its neighbours.
Q: Do you agree that stagnation in Armenian-Turkish relations shows that the signing of the Protocols was premature and the sides were not really prepared to get closer to each other? How would you describe the process between Turkey and Armenia that resulted ultimately in the signing of the Protocols and subsequent stagnation?
A: The work towards the Protocols emerged out of the need to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations. This was very much in line with our objective to help develop a culture of dialogue, compromise and peace across the southern Caucasus. We knew from the very beginning, which goes back some years, that it would not be an easy task to take the normalization process forward. But both Turkey and Armenia persevered and demonstrated wisdom and foresight. By signing the Protocols in Zurich, both sides created a historic opportunity.
We also need to be careful about completing the ratification process in both countries. This is an on-going process. Turkey has expressed its desire to take the Protocols forward despite the problematic content of the Armenian Constitutional Court’s decision and the consequent suspension of the ratification process in Armenia. The Turkish people and parliament do follow what Armenia is saying and doing. Armenia can be more positive and conciliatory. To seize this historic opportunity, we need to show courage and statesmanship. Accusations serve no purpose other than to please those who have been against the normalization and the Protocols since the very beginning.
Q: Ankara considers the issue of the Armenian genocide to be one of the obstacles to the resumption of relations with Yerevan. Yet, Armenia is not bringing this issue forward. What is the reason then, and what other guarantees does Turkey need to be sure that Armenia is really striving for normalization without any preconditions?
A: Turks and Armenians need to address the painful parts of their common history by dialogue. Through dialogue both sides can empathize and begin to properly respect the memory of so many lost lives on both sides. But for this to happen, we need a reliable factual basis. National memories are always partial and do not overlap in many cases. That is where the Protocols will help by starting a dialogue on the historical dimension including an impartial scientific examination. We can move away from the clash of memories towards a just memory through such a dialogue. Yet, there is a continuous effort to have the Armenian memory accepted as uncontested truth in third countries.
This campaign often assumes anti-Turkish zeal and rhetoric. Such a perspective reflects a zero-sum game mentality. We understand that Armenia cannot ignore the diaspora. But that interaction should not always result in pleasing the hardliners and those who fail to see the historic opportunity before us. The normalization process and the Protocols should not be viewed as tactical moves in a larger struggle. On the contrary, they should be seen and treated as a new paradigm of its own. For this paradigm to work, the partners need to view one another under a new light. Turkey has been doing that precisely. Armenia can do the same by showing its peaceful and forthcoming attitude towards Turkey, towards its other immediate neighbours and in third countries. Seeking tactical gains, trying to score points in other countries etc. are counterproductive and ways of the past.
Q: Armenia’s stance on the possible continuation of this process requires the unconditional ratification of the Protocols in the Turkish parliament. Is it possible to continue the process or is it already dead?
A: I suspect that there are parties which take comfort in declaring or wishing the process dead. This is not the state of mind of real peacemakers. The process is not dead for those who want to move forward; and Turkey wants to move forward. We hope that Armenia will resist drifting away from the ratification process as well as the original letter and spirit of the protocols.
The normalization process and the Protocols did not develop in a vacuum. The relevant national, bilateral and regional contexts offer opportunities as well as challenges for the process. For a successful conclusion, we have to chart our way with determination and prudence. This is both possible and desirable.
Q: The Armenian president threatened to withdraw the signature from the Protocols. What will the response of Turkey be, if the threat is put into effect?
A: I do not wish to comment on negative hypothetical scenarios. At this stage we need to facilitate the process, not complicate it. We hope the language and actions of Armenia will be redirected towards positive ends. In the new paradigm I mentioned earlier, there is no place for threats or blaming games. We want to rebuild the friendship between Turks and Armenians. This requires farsighted statesmanship. Armenia can demonstrate such statesmanship and not only pave the way for normalization with Turkey, but also become a part of the solution in resolving the frozen conflicts in the region, particularly the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
Q: Asked by our news agency about the Armenia-Turkish process in Strasbourg in January this year, Turkish President Abdullah Gul emphasized the “multidimensional security system” that needs to be introduced. Does Turkey intend to take real steps on this issue, and what will these be?
A: If properly harnessed, the countries in the region have a promising potential between them to create a better environment to stimulate regional partnership and to transform the southern Caucasus into an area of common welfare. This is what Turkey wants to instigate. Peace, security, stability and welfare are indivisible assets.
It is possible to develop regional development projects that all parties can benefit from. For too long, the commercial and economic potential of the southern Caucasus remains underused. It is possible to imagine and plan networks and corridors which will increase the incentives for conflicting parties to move towards reconciliation and resolution.
The opportunity cost of continuing conflicts is too high. Our generation deserves to enjoy the opportunities the region offers as a whole. Armenia can contribute to the realization of this by seeing the bigger picture and becoming a constructive partner.
Q: Foreign trade between Armenia and Turkey increased to $212.1 million in 2010, mainly at the expense of the export of Turkish goods to Armenia. Don’t you think that opening the border with Armenia and the full use of Armenian resources in regional projects will ensure the success of the “multidimensional security system”?
A: We attach importance to normalizing relations with Armenia beyond the bilateral commercial gains. If we are to work on the basis of the new parameters that our day requires, all countries in the region need to act like team members. Team spirit requires trust and a friendly code of conduct. In other words, we need cooperation and to abide by international law. Based on these ideas, the Protocols also envisage the opening of the borders between Turkey and Armenia. This will indeed be one of the critical parts of the broader regional scheme we want to build. We have to look beyond figures. Joint development projects, the implementation of the Protocols, resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, opening of all borders etc. are all necessary parts of the new vision which will be to everyone’s interest.
Q: Turkey also backs the idea of a “united Caucasus”. How do you imagine the implementation of this idea? It obviously implies the opening of borders. Is there any shift in Ankara’s policy towards “border opening”?
A: Turkey’s vision towards the Caucasus aims at the establishment of long-lasting, comprehensive and sustainable peace and stability in the whole region. Inspired by the regional ownership idea, we want to focus on building a secure, sustainable and prosperous future in the region for the benefit of peoples by creating regional integration. We have a clear vision to this effect.
Unfortunately, the stalemate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict leads to a negative atmosphere in regional dynamics. We are looking for ways to alleviate this problem so that the region will move closer to peace and stability. In this context, a step to be taken towards resolving the Karabakh conflict, which constitutes a major impediment to the maintenance of regional peace and security in the region, would certainly give a positive impulse to normalization processes on all tracks.
We would like to lay emphasis on the fact that Turkey remains committed to the normalization process. There is no doubt that this is a challenging task and requires patience and intensive work. We all knew that from the very beginning and invested much in the process. This process should be taken forward by all stakeholders in a positive and meticulous manner.
Q: The international community believes it is not fair to link relations between Turkey and Armenia with any claims that Turkey may have on the Karabakh issue. What is your comment, please?
A: At first glance both issues seem to be of each other. Each has its own dynamics and its own negotiating platforms. We do not deny this.
However, there is an undeniable interaction between the two tracks, namely Turkey-Armenia and Armenia-Azerbaijan. We should ensure that these two tracks remain mutually reinforcing; a positive move in one track could facilitate progress in the other.
Turkey is sincere about normalizing its relations with Armenia. At the same time, it is very much in everybody’s interest that the stalemate in Nagorno-Karabakh is overcome. Those living in the region should realize that there is common benefit in resolving this protracted conflict. We also call for the assistance of the international community.
Q: What is the role of the international community and Russia, in particular, on the rapprochement? Do you think the role of such world players as the US, the EU and Russia can still be useful in this issue?
A: Turkish-Armenian “rapprochement” should be regarded as the most positive and visionary initiative in the Caucasus in more than two decades. When Turkey and Armenia made a historic decision and signed the protocols, the representatives of the international community were present in Zurich. This picture displayed the support given to the process by the relevant international actors to create “the spirit of Zurich”. These actors are still present and are engaged constructively in the process. We benefit from their valuable contribution towards the creation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence.
Q: A question on Nagorno-Karabakh: the situation in the Karabakh conflict zone is tense with increased military rhetoric. Experts speak of a possible threat of spontaneous escalation of the tension and resumption of war. What stance will Turkey take in the event of a military scenario?
A: We should focus more on peaceful scenarios than military ones. Our aim is to bring comprehensive and sustainable peace to the South Caucasus. All actors interested in the resolution of the conflict should combine their efforts to bring the position of the parties closer to one another. Hence the clear need for a better environment stimulating regional partnership and transforming the Caucasus into an area of common prosperity.
Q: Some experts say that if the situation in Karabakh spins out of control, the conflict may turn into a large-scale one, going beyond the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to involve Turkey, Russia and Iran, and finally to become a world war. Do you agree? What can Turkey do to prevent the resumption of war?
A: The scenario inherent in your question is a far-fetched speculation which would deepen an atmosphere of mistrust detrimental not only to the negotiating process, but also to efforts of the Minsk Group and others striving to attain peace. We have to persist in our efforts to promote dialogue and keep all negotiation tracks open.
Q: What do you think of the already regular meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents through the mediation of the Russian president?
A: The unresolved conflict of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem continues to be the main obstacle for developing an environment conducive to peace and stability in the region. The Minsk Group has been trying to give thrust towards the peaceful solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for almost three decades. We support their efforts. We also think that as a regional power, Russia is playing a constructive role as a responsible member of the Minsk Group co-chairmanship. We think that President Medvedev’s personal involvement is encouraging and should be maintained.
In this regard, we hope that the trilateral Sochi meeting held on 5 March 2011 would serve as another step to move the negotiation process forward. We welcome the declaration made at the end of the summit and hope that further positive steps will be undertaken in the near future.
Q: The Armenian-Turkish border is almost the sole point of intersection between NATO and Russian troops. Do you see any risks in relations between the sides?
A: We have long put aside the Cold War mentality of opposing forces at our borders. We would rather see the borders as lines of union and not separation. Today we are observing intense cooperation between NATO members and Russia to reinforce collective security in Eurasia. Furthermore, NATO has in place different structures of cooperation with Russia.
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