BRUSSELS (Hurriyet)—Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated Turkey’s long-standing claim and precondition that normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations was linked with the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Ruling out criticism of Ankara for linking the issues of normalization of relations between Ankara and Yerevan to the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Baku and Yerevan, Davutoglu said: “Normalization at the bilateral level is linked with an improvement in the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Turkish-Armenian border has been closed for years but we are still trying to resolve this issue. If the same kind of good intention can be shown on the other issue, then it may reach a further level as well.”
When reminded of Armenian officials’ recent statements threatening to annul the protocols signed by Ankara and Yerevan in October for the normalization of relations if Ankara fails to ratify them before April, Davutoglu said the issue should be dealt with via a “visionary” approach instead of by enacting arbitrary deadlines.
Dismissing reports that he plans to pay a visit to Israel, Davutoglu reiterated his harsh criticism of Israeli inaction on the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.
Recalling a recent call by former US President Jimmy Carter for world powers to coerce Israel to end its blockade of Gaza, Davutoglu asked, “Should we now call Carter anti-Semitic for what he said?”
Israel’s Gaza offensive last winter “killed the peace perspective,” he said, adding, “If the peace perspective is rebuilt, then we will not avoid having contact.”
This hard headed man doesn’t get it. I think the problem with those Turks are that they are not used to not getting there way. I think Armenia should come up with a precondition of its own.
Thank you Ahmet Effendi for helping us destroy these absurd Turkish protocols once and for all!!!
Thank you Ahmed Effendi Basha…not only do we see Turkey’s real intentions…but the whole world is at your heels….sooner or late Turkey will catipulate…mark my words mate….!
Foreign Minister Davutoglu can not be “blamed” for trying to extract the optimum from the protocols Turkey has signed with Armenia as long as he finds the going good , although in plain parlance and in undiplomatic language his methods and public pronouncements could be considered as chicanery ! I rather find fault with the officials of Armenia for having allowed themselves to be boxed in a situation where their options have become considerably narrower vis-a-vis their stated objectives. In the end the outcome of the October negotiations show how badly President Sarkissian had misjudged Turkey’s readiness to play ball and how his team of inexperienced diplomats fumbled an ill devised outreach effort presumably to advance Armenia’s strategic goals. This was a game beyond their reach and seeing the results so far, I have my doubts about their ability to bring to good conclusion this venture.
We liberated Artsakh for good, now we should be asking for Nakhichevan. We should not care what Ahmet Davutoglu says. What is Armenian will stay Armenian.
yes Armenian will and have to come up with its own precodndition regongnise the Armenian Genocide return the Wilsonina lands and than we can talk about the borders
yes zer maman k…em bzoi txerk im papenakan hoxere versrel ek herik chi hima el uzum ek asek vor zern en ha ay pidaras xaxpi txerk duk turk bozi txerk ek duk haots ashxare mnuma hayerin
long live my Armenia
Armenia must not give in to pressure regarding Artsakh . The turks know that the supper powers will choose the easy option and pressurize the weaker country to get their own way.
For once I thing Serj is right,Turkey must give Armenia the reason for us to pull out from this stupid protocols.
This way they are going to look bad in the eyes of the world.
Turkey speaks from the both sides of the mouth. Turk remains Turk and this has been proven all along the history. This breaks the camel’s back. Armenian should pul out of the “protocol”
Before any border is opened, it has to be described, drawn. This is that causes delay and hesitation. Turks know that whenever they start discussing the opening procedure, they big question will arise. What is the border to be reopened? They one of Wilson’s Armenia? The one of the bolshevik’s Russia? Once the PROCESS will unfold, they will see the seeds of their and Azeris misdoing and wrongs. So, Turks and Azeris want very much the things change, but they also understand that this is a trap for their bigger plans.
I love reading comments from people who are all on the same page! Get Nakhichevan back, redrawing the border, scrapping the protocols……I LOVE IT! Artsakh has been liberated for good. This is final.
Ironically some in the Turk Government call Davutoglu, Davutian, saying he is really Armenian……