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It is
becoming increasingly evident that the so-called “roadmap”
discussions with Turkey are proceeding with preconditions,
despite continuous claims by Armenian authorities that they are
not.
After
Presidents Serzh Sarkisian and Abdullah Gul made an announcement
last week following their meeting in Prague, Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan not only continued his public
statements that without a resolution to the Karabakh conflict
there would be no border opening, but he also took his message
to Azerbaijan, where in meetings with Aliyev and other leaders
he reassured the Azeris that, in fact, the resolution of the
conflict was a precondition.
President
Sarkisian made a counter announcement condemning Erdogan’s
statement, saying that Turkey’s announcement could hinder the
peace process and the Turkish-Armenian “roadmap” discussion was
more a slap on the wrist than a definitive posturing of a
president who has agreed to an already controversial agreement.
Turkey’s
continued rhetoric—-whether it’s designed to appease Azerbaijan
or its own disgruntled population—-should send a clear signal to
the Armenian authorities that continuing the “roadmap” process
would only further hurt Armenian interests, since it is crystal
clear that Turkey has three preconditions with which it is
advancing its position. A resolution to the Karabakh conflict,
the establishment of a “historic commission” and Armenia’s
recognition of the current Turkish borders have always in, one
way or another, been party’s of Turkey’s approach to this
matter.
Armenia should not fall prey to the fallacy that if it pulls out from the talks
it will lose credibility within the international community.
This argument has been advanced by certain political forces,
which have other gains in this process and sets dangerous
precedents that could jeopardize Armenia’s national security.
Back in 1993,
Turkey unilaterally decided to close its borders with Armenia
citing the Karabakh conflict as the impetus. It is up to Turkey
to open the border and by drawing Armenia into a “negotiation
process” it aims to legitimize its aggressive policies. The West
has immersed itself in this process to protect its own interests
and has succeeded in drawing Armenia into an ultimately
compromising situation.
The
unfortunate announcement of the “roadmap” agreement has been
made. However, if these talks are truly being held without
preconditions, then Armenia has nothing to lose but more to gain
from halting the process. But if the contrary is true, which it
may likely be, the Armenian leadership should immediately
withdraw from the “roadmap” talks and pursue a policy—vis-à-vis
both Karabakh and Turkey that guarantees Armenian national
interests and security. |
