ARMENIAN FM IN CALL FOR SOLIDARITY
Hurriyet
Nov 24 2008
Turkey
ISTANBUL – The normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey
means the establishment of diplomatic relations and opening a common
border without any precondition, says Armenian Foreign Minister
Nalbandian, who adds, ‘None of us does a favor to the other by
establishing diplomatic relations. Both countries need this’
Turkey and Armenia should establish formal diplomatic ties, not as a
"favor" from one side to the other, but as recognition that it is very
much in both countries interests, says the Armenian foreign minister
who is visiting Istanbul today.
Not only that, but the two countries can also cooperate regionally
as part a regional stability initiative for the Caucasus as proposed
by Turkey, said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, here
to visit the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, or BSEC, headquartered
in Istanbul. Armenia is assuming the rotating presidency of that
organization for the next six months, duties that prompted Nalbandian’s
visit. On the occasion of his visit he agreed to answer questions
put to him by the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review on relations
between Turkey and Armenia and his country’s relations with the United
States and Iran.
Speaking about Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s visit to Armenia and
subsequent discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan,
Nalbandian seemed optimistic but also quite realistic. "During the
visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan on the invitation
of President Serge Sargsyan and negotiations, an appropriate mood
was created to speak on normalization of our relations. When we are
speaking about normalization, we perceive it in the establishment of
diplomatic relations between our countries and opening a common border
without any precondition. That normalization is in the interest of our
two nations. It is not right to present the opening of borders as a
favor from Turks to Armenians. Turkish side isn’t less interested in
that than we are. None of us does a favor to the other by establishing
diplomatic relations. Both countries need this. There is no necessity
to create artificial obstacles."
"So Armenia is ready to normalize our bilateral relations without
any precondition and we are expecting the same from Turkey. With
this aim we are conducting talks. Not negotiations for negotiations,
but negotiations for concrete results.
"Many neighboring countries have differences, but they have normal
relations and they have open borders, they are open to each other,
and they have appropriate conditions to talk to each other, to talk
over their differences, to discuss all the issues of mutual concern."
Asked about the Armenian chairmanship of the BSEC and whether
or not it would facilitate dialogue between Armenia and Turkey,
Nalbandian replied, "As the very idea and main goal of BSEC is to
boost and promote economic cooperation between member countries,
it’s natural that this organization could contribute to a better
environment among participating states. BSEC is a promising model of
multilateral economic initiative aimed at fostering interaction among
its member states, as well as to ensure cooperation, development and
prosperity in the Black Sea region.
"I don’t think that Armenia was waiting to assume the BSEC chairmanship
in order to start a dialogue with Turkey. But the BSEC is one of those
international organizations, where we have an appropriate framework
to discuss with Turkey our possibilities for cooperation."
Nalbandian has stated his support for the Caucasus Stability and
Cooperation Platform proposed by Turkey. "We’ve welcomed the idea of
the Turkish initiative, as we are in favor of building confidence,
stability, security and cooperation in the region which are in
the basis of this proposal. But we have questions to clarify Ä~^
the mechanism of its implementation, its format, as well as other
aspects. Till now, we haven’t had detailed and serious discussions
on this."
‘South Ossetia shows region’s vulnerability’ Armenia was affected
economically by the August crisis between Russia and Georgia but so
far not by the global financial crisis. According to Nalbandian, "The
events around South Ossetia have shown how fragile and vulnerable is
our region, how weak and undeveloped is its transport infrastructure
and how important it is to have open borders and to join the efforts
of all our countries for the sake of stability, security, cooperation,
development and prosperity of our region.
"The crisis lasted less than a week, but it has created a
very difficult situation in the whole region, it has caused a
humanitarian disaster and huge material losses. We too strongly felt
the consequences of the August conflict. The conflict interrupted
our communication routes, our basic supplies, including energy. We
have suffered hundreds of millions’ worth of losses.
"The developments and impacts of the August events are still to be
carefully studied and assessed, but the first of all they have shown
the most obvious reality Ä~^ war is never an answer. And we want to
believe that those who had illusions about that option will reconsider
their position.
"As for the global financial crisis, for the moment we still have
had no direct serious negative effect on our economy. To resist
the eventual negative impact of the crisis on Armenia’s economic
development, our government has worked out a comprehensive plan in
order to minimize the effect of crisis on the country’s economy and
we hope that this will be effective enough."
The financial crisis that hit Armenia after August has led to
better relations with Iran although they are based on centuries-old
traditions. "We were and are implementing [plans] and we have ambitious
economic projects to be realized, especially in the areas of energy
and transport infrastructures," said the foreign minister. "During
recent events around South Ossetia, as our trade routes via Georgia
were blocked, Iran became an important route for basic supplies to
Armenia. Both our countries are interested in development and the
strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation."
Yerevan welcomes the election of Obama Speaking about mutually
beneficial cooperation, U.S. relations with Armenia came to mind. Just
what did Nalbandian expect of the U.S. President-elect Barack
Obama? His reply: "Since our independence Armenia and the United
States have very good relations and we are committed to continue
working together with new U.S. administration to deepen, expand and
enrich our friendly partnership.
"The Armenian people are grateful to the United States for the
comprehensive assistance it has provided since our independence and
up to this day. The United States plays an important role in the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict as one of the co-chairs of the
OSCE’s Minsk Group.
"We highly appreciate the President-elect’s awareness and stands
on Armenian issues and we think that the relations between Armenia
and the U.S. will attain a new quality during President-elect Barack
Obama’s term of office and cooperation between our countries will be
enhanced for the sake of our friendly peoples."
You would think that 70 years of communism would have changed the
character of Armenians living in Armenia and made them acquire a
different mentality from the Armenians of the diaspora. The 70 years
of communism also kept them separate from the average Turkish citizen
with whom they have many things in common.
Nalbandian’s views were somewhat surprising. He answered: "The
Soviet era of Armenian history has had less negative than positive
impact. Armenia was known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the Soviet
Union with about 200 research centers and scientific institutions,
with a highly educated population and with an extremely large number
of scientists and researchers in proportion to its population.
"That’s true that today two-thirds of the Armenian people lives
abroad, in about 70 countries on five continents of our planet. They
have created ‘Little Armenias’ everywhere they live. Although they
are citizens of different countries and have the common features of
the peoples with whom they are living, almost all of them have kept
deeply their Armenian identity and traditions. Today they are united
by the desire and will to realize the dream of their ancestors –
a prosperous Armenia."
Who is Edward Nalbandian?
To just say that Edward Nalbandian is Armenia’s current Foreign
Minister would be mistaken. The 52-year-old may already have white
hair but he has been very active over the years in promoting the
interests of his country and his people. A professional diplomat,
he is a product of the Moscow school of foreign service and held
various diplomatic posts including almost 10 years in France before
becoming foreign minister in April of this year.
When Nalbandian was asked what his biggest achievement as his country’s
ambassador to France was, he replied, "I had the honor to represent
my country in France for almost 10 years. Today in Armenia’s public
opinion France is considered among the most friendly countries. In
France, Armenia has the same image. This friendship comes from the
depth of the centuries and is a result of common efforts of many
generations of our two peoples. I am happy, if I could bring my modest
contribution to that friendship."
As for the challenges he faces as minister, he said, "For any Minister
of Foreign Affairs the main goal is to create favorable external
conditions for safe and peaceful development and prosperity of his
country." Nalbandian is said to speak excellent French, Russian and
Armenian and good English. He has written numerous studies on the
Middle East and International Relations.
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