Borders are unstable
Editorial
Yerkir
July 22, 2005
Some Turkish circles view the possibility of the opening of the border
between Armenia and Turkey as a challenge to that country. Is it
possible that the borderline between Armenia and Turkey could ever
change?
It should be noted that the borders in the Caucasus and Central Asia
are rather unstable. Here is some statistics: the Russian (Armenian)
– Turkish border “changed” frequently between 1914 and
1921. According to an agreement in 1915-1916, Ottoman Empire’s
eastern regions predominantly populated by Armenians, was to be
divided between Russia and France; under the Yerznka truce in 1917,
the Russian-Turkish demarcation line was determined, later the Kars
region was put under Ottoman troops by the Brest-Litovsk treaty;
under the 1918 Batum treaty, an Armenian-Turkish border was
determined which later was changed under the Mudrus truce signed by
the allies and Turks in the same year; under the 1920 Sevres treaty,
Armenia acquired new borders, while later that year, under the
Alexandrapol treaty, the border was changed again. In 1921, new
treaties were signed first in Moscow then in Kars, according to which
the current border between Armenia and Turkey was determined. Ankara
probably realizes the nature of the Moscow and Kars treaties.
What would happen if the geopolitical balance changes and the Republic
of Armenia demands that Turkey return Kars region and Surmalu
district? Turkey says it has no territorial problems with its
neighbors, and that only Armenians have territorial claims. In
reality, Ankara has hidden territorial problems with all its
neighbors. Geopolitical balance often changes. The world developments
indicate that such changes may occur earlier than predicted. That’s
why the view that Armenia will always be unable to overcome the
Turkish threat is devastating.
So, Armenia should carry out policies aimed at political and economic
growth. Armenia would be in better position when regulating its
relations with Turkey if it could surpass Turkey in its economic and
political indices.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress