14 October 2009 / BUGÜN AHMET TAŞGETİREN,
Should Turkey have a Karabakh problem? What have the protocols signed with Armenia done for the Karabakh issue?
Is there a chance Turkey might miss the mark on the Karabakh problem? Without achieving any progress in Karabakh, which aspects of the protocols will be implemented? Without any progress, will the protocols reach Parliament and be approved? Does Turkey need to take into consideration Azerbaijan's feelings while improving relations with Armenia? Alongside global attention created by the “signing of the protocols,” these questions bring to the agenda an issue that continues to be a cause of distress for Turkey. If the Turkey-Armenia protocols aim to establish a more permanent peace in the Caucasus, Turkey's stated goal, imposed by the developing international conjuncture in the region, then without any doubt an “occupied Karabakh” will be a hot potato threatening peace. Since no one is going to say, “There's nothing we can do; let Armenian occupation become permanent,” solving this problem is a must for permanent peace. Turkey's decision to start diplomatic relations with Armenia and open the border may be a positive effort, but it is unacceptable for it to become venomous for relations with Azerbaijan.
