Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform demands an "open game"

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform demands an "open game", a Russian expert said.



"As a rule, cooperation becomes possible if the sides waive their national interests to combat a common enemy or if there is a necessity of diversification of economic relations. Under the global financial and energy crisis, the Caucasus states could reach an agreement to resolve the existing conflicts and secure beneficial economic cooperation. However, there are some irrational historical factors that hamper normalization of relations," senior lecturer at Saint-Petersburg State University, deputy editor at the Center of Oriental Studies, Ph.D. in history Alexander Sotnichenko said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net



Armenia could officially renounce territorial claims against Turkey and stop the worldwide campaign calling for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In response, Turkey could reconsider its position on Nagorno Karabakh and open the border with Armenia, according to him.



"A similar precedent was in case with Syria. As soon as Damask recognized territorial integrity of Turkey and stopped laying claims to the province of Hatay that was annexed to Turkey in 1838, the relations between the two states considerably improved, not to mention the economic factor. Presently, Turkey is mediating for the Syrian-Israeli reconciliation, what is convenient for both sides. I am hopeful that the Caucasus nations will overcome their historic hostility and establish fruitful political and economic cooperation," Dr. Sotnichenko said.

Full text of the interview