Few days ago the FM of Turkey Ahmed Davutoglu announced that Turkey would like that the negotiateons between Armenia and Azerbaijan on NKR conflict to occur in Istanbul.
The former FM of NKR, Arman Meliqyan said in the interview with “1in.am News and Analysis” that if this offer was made by the representatives of OSCE Minsk group co-chairing countries, it would have a pretext and would give grounds to worry. But as this is Turkey’s initiative, which clearly realizes that negotiation process goes on in certain circles and changes in the agenda are made by the co-chairing countries, such an offer is just senseless. At the same time, he mentioned that he sees nothing contradictory in Turkey’s behavior. “Turkey is an independent state and leads its policy. At this moment this step is favorable and can bring the country political profit.”
To the question whether this announcement can bring any change in the position of Minsk group co-chairing countries, A. Meliqyan answered: “I don’t exclude that they will discuss Turkey’s offer.” According to Meliqyan the USA wouldn’t mind it, but it is hard to guess Russia’s position. What about France, it is still insisting on the law project of judging the denial of Armenian Genocide, but at the same time tries to regain good relations with Turkey. “I guess France will favor this approach.”- he mentioned. According to A. Meliqyan, NKR conflict is of primary importance for Turkey, because the existence of the conflicts closes its way to East. The former FM reminded that such a case already existed, when in 1992 by the offer of Iranian president the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiated in Tehran. Another thing is that there was no positive outcome.
Political expert from Artsakh, the former deputy FM of NKR, Masis Mayilyan during our interview mentioned that throughout the whole conflict process Turkey supported Azerbaijan. “During the last two decades we were witnessing the Azeri-Turkish strategic partnership. To mention the least, the military-technical support of Turkey to Azerbaijan, which is aggressively directed against NKR, presence of Turkish officers in Azerbaijan, Turkey’s participation in blockading Armenia and NKR, these are all very important indicators.”- stressed Masis Mayilyan.
He reminded that blockade is also a hostile action. Besides, since 1992 Turkey is a member of Minsk group which is to solve NKR conflict. So, according to Mayilyan’s words, unless Turkey takes a neutral turn and become a clear mediator in Azeri-NKR conflict, it’s any offer is unacceptable.
The expert of French fund of strategic investigations, political expert Kayts Minasyan said in the interview with “1in.am News and Analysis” that Turkey feels almighty in Syrian issue, and tries to prove its ability of peace-making not only in Syria but also in Caucasus. Besides, by this step Turkey tries to press on Russia, France and the USA to show that without its mediation these countries can’t do anything. “Turkey also wants to show that its policy called “no problems with neighbors” is in process and also for pinpointing to Azerbaijan the powerful help of Turkey.”-said Mr. Minasyan. Turkey is well aware that Armenia will deny the offer, which will show to international community that RA has negative treatment in NKR conflict. According to Minasyan, Turkey tries its best for Russia, France and the USA to put pressures on Armenia so that the latter negotiated in Turkey.
“But if Armenia takes part in these negotiations, it will mean that it accepts Turkey’s role on the conflict”, he said.
