Radar Armenia‘s interlocutor is Turkologist Nelly Minasyan.
– The Turkish side continues to declare its desire to sign a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In your opinion, is Turkey interested in normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations? If so, are there any visible steps being taken in this direction?
– Turkey is not very interested in normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations at this stage because otherwise, it could have taken a more substantive step in that direction. I don’t see those steps at the moment. The most objective step is that the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations will not be linked to the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijani relations. Conversely, if there is some positive movement in Armenia-Turkey relations, it will affect Armenia-Azerbaijani relations. The implementation of the agreements reached, the opening of the border for third countries and holders of diplomatic passports, is not yet normalizing Armenian-Turkish relations. Still, it is a small step in that direction, which can also positively impact the process. Turkey is not taking any visible steps in this direction, anyway.
– In this context, what developments can be expected shortly in Armenian-Turkish relations, particularly regarding the implementation of the agreements reached?
Recently, the Turkish press published that Serdar Kilic held a meeting with the leadership of the Kars region. This was the first case in which information about implementing specific actions was disseminated. This lets us assume we may see particular steps in this direction shortly. However, implementing the agreements that have already been reached will remain the priority. It isn’t easy to discuss deadlines here because the entire process depends on the Turkish side.
– In what direction and how will Turkish-American relations develop in the work with the Trump administration?
– Initially, there was great enthusiasm in connection with the election of Trump, but not everything was smooth there, and this enthusiasm was still premature. There are essential issues in the relations of those two states that do not have answers. The most critical issue here is related to the Kurdish issue. The United States is not taking steps in line with Turkey’s wishes. The Turkish leadership has even sent demands to the United States about what it expects from the Trump administration, and the first of them is not to provide support to the Kurdish forces. In this case, there is no response from the Trump administration. The institutional problems between Turkey and the United States will continue.
