Delay in Protocols ratification process by Turkey is normal occurrenceNovember 17, 2009 - 11:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Normalization of the Armenia-Turkey relations without progress in the Karabakh settlement can harm Ankara's relations with Baku, states the report of Chatham House "Turkey, Russia and the Caucasus: the common and conflicting interests". According to the report, the war in August of 2008 adversely affected the Armenian economy and therefore opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, closed by Turkey in 1993, may be useful either for Armenia or Georgia. Chatham House believes that Turkey put forward preconditions for Armenia to open the border: abandoning international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and settlement of the Karabakh conflict on terms favorable to Azerbaijan. "After the August events Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan initiated the start of "football diplomacy", resulted in signed protocols on the establishment of the Armenia-Turkey diplomatic relations. This initiative, contrary to some expectations, did not lead to Moscow's resistance, " the report said. The report focuses also on Russian-Turkish relations. "Moscow supports the Kurds and the Turks of Cyprus, where Russia can create an offshore zone. British experts believe that the Russian-Turkish relations correspond to overall political picture of the region. According to Chatham House, despite current concerns, normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations would unlikely lead to the weakening of relations between Russia and Armenia, and on the other hand, cooling of relations between Ankara and Baku. British experts treated as normal the delay caused by Turkey of the ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols. "Delays could have serious consequences, since the Armenian authorities threatened to abandon the process of reconciliation, if the protocol ratification process is delayed," the report of Chatham House says. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. |