In reaching this point, the good will of Turkish and Armenian officials should be praised but the efforts of the international community, mainly the American, Russian, French and European support, should not be forgotten too. A special applause, of course, goes to Swiss diplomacy for its mediation success.It was, however, not easy for the Turkish and Armenian governments, who faced the bitter opposition of ultra-nationalists. The result is thus a victory against narrow-minded nationalism both in Turkey and Armenia. By signing the protocols to establish diplomatic contacts and develop bilateral relations the two countries demonstrated their will to look to the future instead of being imprisoned in the past.
For Armenia this is the beginning of a new period in its foreign affairs. I think Armenia's true integration with the world will start with the normalization of its relations with Turkey. After years of independence Armenia is finally coming out of its “Iron Curtain” and opening up to the world. It can now become a regional player in the Caucasus and be in the game of energy politics. Its inclusion in Nabucco is the key to integrate Armenia in the regional balance and global game benefiting the Armenian people.
In this process the Armenian Diaspora has failed to support peace and reconciliation. Their strong opposition to the protocols proves that they are out of touch with the realities of regional and global politics as well as the needs of their people in Armenia. The Diaspora appeared to be trying to keep Armenia as a hostage to their platonic Armenian nationalism while Sarksyan is prioritizing and defending the wellbeing of Armenians living in Armenia.
For Turkey, normalization with Armenia is just an extension of its “zero problems with neighbors” policy. Signing the protocols proved that the “new Turkey” is a peace maker and peace builder in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu should be praised for his regional vision of peace. The Armenian-Turkey rapprochement is now a new incentive to look into the Karabagh issue so that the region can resolve another longstanding conflict that poisons stability in the Caucasus.
The Azerbaijanis, instead of trying to sabotage this rapprochement, can capitalize on it to address the Karabagh issue. They should be aware that some in Turkey will try to pull them into the quarrels of Turkish domestic politics. By using Turks' solidarity with Azerbaijan, some opposition groups in Turkey are trying to weaken the government. Portraying the government that initiated the rapprochement with Armenia as selling out their “Azeri brothers” is simple politicking that the Azeris should not be part of.
Peace and stability in the Caucasus will certainly be strengthened as a result of the rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia. But another outstanding problem in the region is the Karabagh dispute. The new diplomacy in the Caucasus will certainly ease the process of finding a solution in the Karabagh dispute too. The Minsk group should gear up its efforts to start the process of a settlement for this question.
Unless the Karabagh issue is settled it will be hard to consolidate peace and stability in the Caucasus. Faced with the pressure of the Diaspora, it may be even more difficult for the Armenian government to go for a settlement in Karabagh. But without it, the current efforts will not be completed.
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