Ankara must waives its preconditions to Yerevan to normalize relations with Armenia - Viktor Nadein- Raevski

ArmInfo. Armenian-Turkish relations can only be normalized if Ankara waives its preconditions to Yerevan, Viktor Nadein-Raevski of the Institute of World Economy  and International Relations, RF Academy of Sciences, told ArmInfo. 

"The process has got underway, with some optimism about it. On the  other hand, we very well remember the failure of the 2009 process  under the Zurich protocols. And the willingness for real  rapprochement on the part of Armenia and Turkey can first of all be  demonstrated through establishment of diplomatic relations,  re-opening of transport corridors and borders via Armenia and Turkey.  However, Ankara must be insisting on the recognition of historically  Armenian territories as part of Turkey, as well as on Armenia  renouncing the process of international recognition of the Armenian  Genocide. As to Armenia being ready for that, it is not yet clear,"  the expert said. 

The current configuration of the Armenian-Turkish negotiations is to  a large extent the result of the 44-day war, Mr Nadein-Raevski said.  He notes that neutralizing a hotbed in the southern borders of Russia  was in Moscow's interests.  In this context, Russia will benefit from  normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations - provided the Armenian  people's rights are respected, the expert said.   

The Armenian and Turkish special envoys for normalization of  relations held their first meeting in Moscow, Russia, on January 14.    Parliament Vice-Speaker Ruben Rubinyan represented Armenia, with  Turkey represented by the ex-ambassador to the USA Serdar Kilic.   Following the meeting, the Armenian and Turkish foreign office  released similar statements on a constructive atmosphere at the  negotiations. In its turn, the Russian foreign office stated that the  parties showed their readiness to conduct a non-political and  constructive dialogue. 

At the current stage, Ankara is applying soft power to Armenia - in  the Turkish style, that is, in a rather aggressive way. And the  ultimate goal is making Armenia its vassal state. And Turkey is  moving on in this direction using its highly flexible diplomacy.  Turkey could demonstrate it in successfully manoeuvring between  Russia and the US. 

"As part of this policy and using such instruments, Turkey will be  seeking Armenia's favor by moving toward Yerevan and offering minor  concessions and opportunities. Among them are air flights in both  directions and initiatives to intensify bilateral contacts. Another  factor is the absence of Ankara's negative messages addressed to  Yerevan, and the reason is Armenia's modest expectations in view of  re- establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey," Mr  Nadein-Raevski said.