Stratfor: Karabakh issue not included in Armenian-Turkish talks
Opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is quite possible, according to a Stratfor analyst.
"Surely, Turkey doesn't feel comfortable enough to open the border before resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Marco Papic said.
"However, the point is that resolution is unlikely in the near future. Besides, both Turkey and Russia understand that they will incur displeasure of Azerbaijan and Armenia irrespectively of their position on the problem," he said.
"Many in Turkey are afraid of Azerbaijan's negative reaction. Making Baku angry over the Karabakh issue, Turkey should be confident of Russia's support. Karabakh is not on the agenda of Armenian-Turkish talks," Mr. Papic said, adding that if the Azeri-Turkish dispute damages Europe's energy interests, it can also engage in the talks.
"Surely, Turkey doesn't feel comfortable enough to open the border before resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict," Marco Papic said.
"However, the point is that resolution is unlikely in the near future. Besides, both Turkey and Russia understand that they will incur displeasure of Azerbaijan and Armenia irrespectively of their position on the problem," he said.
"Many in Turkey are afraid of Azerbaijan's negative reaction. Making Baku angry over the Karabakh issue, Turkey should be confident of Russia's support. Karabakh is not on the agenda of Armenian-Turkish talks," Mr. Papic said, adding that if the Azeri-Turkish dispute damages Europe's energy interests, it can also engage in the talks.
