Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the efforts towards peace in the South Caucasus should become an example for the whole world.
Yes, of course, after nine months of starving hundreds of thousands of Armenians who lived in their homeland for centuries, under the real threat of genocide, forced displacement, dispossession and depatriation, according to President Erdogan, is a “very good example” for the whole world.
At the beginning of the last century, the head of the country, which solved its problems with the genocide and deportation of one and a half million Armenians, and until today, with denial, has found a “good example of peace” for the world.
The President of Turkey has probably forgotten that very recently he himself announced “Just as we entered Libya and Karabakh, we can enter Israel as well. There’s nothing stopping us from doing that.”
This is how the leader of the country of 90 million people, proud of the war against the small Artsakh of 150,000 people, advises the world to take an example from the peace-making efforts implemented in the South Caucasus.
Let’s follow Mr. Erdogan and see how the world applies the example of the South Caucasus (by destroying all the rights of the people of Artsakh).
Having ignored the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh and instead welcomed the results of Azerbaijan’s military aggression, after a long war, Ukraine will have to take into account the right to self-determination of the people of Donbass (even if it does not recognize it).
Iran also welcomed the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, which ignored the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, conquered Artsakh by force and displaced the Armenians. No mention of the international right to self-determination. Now Iran complains that the US and Israel are violating international law and want to impose their demands by using military force.
If Mr. Erdogan is concerned about the issues of peace in Gaza, Lebanon and the entire region in general, then why was this pacifism not shown in any way when Armenians were living in Artsakh and fighting for their rights? With that pacifism, why doesn’t he urge Azerbaijan to withdraw its troops from the sovereign territories of the Republic of Armenia? Isn’t the question of returning the Armenians who are in Azerbaijani prisons with false trials to Armenia included in his peacemaking efforts?
After all, whose peace efforts in particular should become an example to the world? The weak and degraded attitude of Nikol Pashinyan’s government, the pre-election campaign to scare the people with war, or the Ilham Aliyev’s government’s demand for an unhindered “corridor” through the territory of Armenia and amendments to the RA constitution?
Former RA Deputy Defense Minister Artak Zakaryan
—
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Chatinian Lara. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/04/18/caucasian-scenario-disenfranchisement-and-ethnic-cleansing-as-an-example-to-the-world/