(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Elnur Enveroglu read more The political elite of Armenia claims that Turkiye is an
obstacle in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. One of such claims was
included in the statement made by Armenian expert Armen Petrosyan
to the Russian press. He noted that supposedly Turkiye supports
Azerbaijan in pursuing an aggressive policy against Armenia, and
this is precisely why the normalization of relations between the
two countries has remained frozen.
However, the Armenian authorities have always expressed that
they are an extremely interested party in the opening of air and
land borders with Turkiye, and most importantly, they understand
that all this can be considered acceptable for Turkiye after the
normalization of Baku-Yerevan relations. While everything is clear
in the middle, the Armenian side continues its chaotic policy.
According to British journalist and political analyst Neil
Watson, Armenia itself is looking for excuses to delay the
negotiations. In his comment for Azernews , the
expert called Armenia a liar, describing Azerbaijan as
aggressive.
“First of all, I think that it should be emphasised that
Azerbaijan is not pursuing an aggressive policy against Armenia. It
has made no claims on the territory currently comprising
contemporary Armenia, although much of that was originally
Azerbaijani. It has only sought to regain control over the 20 per
cent of Azerbaijani territory that was under illegal Armenian
control for nearly 30 years. Furthermore, the rights of the
Armenian-speaking Azerbaijani citizens in the liberated territories
are being protected in law,” he said.
Watson clarified the claim of Armenians about Turkiye in the
matter, emphasising that it is more related to historical
facts.
“One of the central reasons why Armenian politicians regard
Azerbaijan's alliance with Turkiye as problematic is, of course,
historic. They regard the Republic of Turkiye as being the
successor to the Ottoman Empire who allegedly committed the
so-called Armenian 'genocide' of 1915. Armenia's sense of
victimhood is central to its national identity and the wilful
self-delusion that pervades Armenian national psychology. In the
warped Armenian perspective, who regard Azerbaijanis as Turks,
occupation of Azerbaijani territory was some reparation for the
alleged 'genocide'. Furthermore, Armenia is one of the closest
allies of Russia. The Soviet Union always feared collaboration and
unification between the Turkic nations and did its utmost to move
populations around to negate any possibility of this, including the
relocation of Armenians to their current territory. Erdogan is
striving to increase collaboration between the Turkic nations,
overlayed by some degree of religiosity as part of the Turkic
culture. The greatest fear of Armenia and maternal Russia is that
the Turkic nations will combine their resources and armed forces,”
the British journalist opined.
In addition, Neil Watson said that Pashinyan needs Turkiye to
get rid of Russia's influence. He added that whether the Armenian
Prime Minister wants it or not, he will be forced to restore
relations with Azerbaijan first and then with Turkiye.
“In my understanding, Pashinyan himself understands completely
that normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey is
obligatory for his country to survive in the post-war situation. He
also realises that it is the only way in which Armenia itself will,
finally, achieve some degree of independence away from Russia,
particularly as his reflects his own stance. However, the issue is
placating the Armenian electorate, fellow politicians and the
Armenian diaspora. Pashinyan does not want to provoke unrest and
revolution in his country and to totally lose the support of
Russia, Iran and the Armenian diaspora. So he has to be seen to be
putting up some resistance to Turkic unification even though,
ultimately, normalisation of relations with his two neighbours is
necessary.”
The British political analyst also said that Armenia is watching
the elections in Turkey with great interest. In addition, Neil
Watson noted that the ruling party will win the elections.
“I am of the view that it is more than likely that the incumbent
government will win in Turkiye. Obviously Turkiye was the
staunchest supporter of Azerbaijan in the Second Karabakh Conflict,
alongside Israel, and I feel that this will help Pashinyan make the
argument to his electorate, diaspora and supportive countries that
a peace treaty has to be signed. There will be a trepidatious
normalisation of economic relations between Armenia and its two
Turkic neighbours and this will lead to a normalisation process
that will take place over many years. I feel that Russia, although
against peace in the South Caucasus, will back down as its
challenges emanating from the Russo-Ukrainian conflict
predominate,” he added.
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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews' deputy editor-in-chief, follow him
on @elnurmammadli1