February 19, 2010 - 13:49 AMT
Michael Kambeck: Turkey and Armenia facing historic turning point


After nearly a century confrontation, relations between Turkey and Armenia are currently facing a historic turning point that will deeply affect the future diplomatic and strategic balances of the South Caucasus, according to Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA), Dr. <b>Michael Kambeck</b>.

“If the process is successful, all who have an interest in stability and progress will profit. All, that is above all Armenia and Turkey, but also Russia, the US and the EU, and even Georgia and Azerbaijan,” Mr. Kambeck told a Pan.ARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“The risk of losing the window of opportunity that will not remain open for long, is high. If it failed now, the whole process would need to wait for another generation of leaders in both countries, and even then it is likely that they would still consider it as a political hot potato. Finally, the future of Armenian-Turkish relations is about the two societies and as James Freeman Clarke put it “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.” Armenia is firm in pushing for the opening of borders and societies, and the region needs more statesmen. That is why our Europe-Armenia Advisory Council (EAAC) called upon ALL parties, including Azerbaijan, to contribute positively to the ongoing process,” he said.