Author: Tambiyan Samvel

Asbarez: ANCA-WR Endorses Kevin de León for Los Angeles Mayor

Tambiyan Samvel
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 February 8, 2022

 

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Kevin de León at a press conference on Feb. 8 where ANCA-WR endorsed him for Los Angeles Mayor

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region announced its endorsement of long-time friend of the Armenian community Kevin De León in the Los Angeles Mayoral race during a press conference on Tuesday at the St. Garabed Armenian Church and the Alex Pilibos School complex in Little Armenia.

“Kevin de León has been a stalwart friend and ally of the Armenian community throughout his distinguished career as an Assemblymember and Senator in the California State Legislature, and recently as a Los Angeles City Councilmember, from his work to recognize and commemorate the Armenian Genocide every year to his crucial support for legislation that recognized the independence and right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh to assisting Armenian community programs at the local level,” remarked Chair of the ANCA-WR Nora Hovsepian, Esq. during the conference. “Mr. De León will bring over a decade of friendship, legislative experience on Armenian issues, and a commitment to empowering local communities to the Mayoral office that we wholeheartedly embrace as we continue to build upon the excellent relationship we have had with all Los Angeles Mayors,” Hovsepian continued.

“It has been one of the great honors of my life to represent the Armenian community in Los Angeles for the last decade; which is why I am so proud to have the support of ANCA-WR,” said Councilmember Kevin de León.

“Together we put Little Armenia on the map, and as the Leader of the California Senate – I led our state to officially recognize the Republic of Artsakh; appointed Armenians to prominent statewide commissions; and made sure our students would learn from the horrors of the Armenian Genocide to always fight injustice. As Mayor, I will lift up those who have historically been overlooked; and give my Armenian brothers and sisters a real voice in City Hall,” he continued. 

Also present at the conference were ANCA-WR Board members, Government Affairs Committee members, community leaders, and Armenian media representatives. 

Kevin De León previously served as an Assemblymember in the California State Legislature representing the 45th District from 2006 to 2010 covering Hollywood and, specifically, Little Armenia – home to St. Garabed Armenian Church, Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School, and the headquarters of Asbarez Daily Newspaper and Horizon Armenian Television. From 2010 to 2018, De León served first as a member of the California State Senate representing the 22nd and later the 24th Senate District during which he covered the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, respectively. Since 2020, De León has served as Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the 14th District, covering Eagle Rock, Boyle Heights, Highland Park and Downtown Los Angeles.

ANCA-WR Board, staff, committee members with Kevin de León on Feb. 8

De León has represented a diverse cross-section of the Armenian-American community of Los Angeles throughout his time in office, and is well acquainted with the Armenian-American community’s priorities and interests. De León was honored with the ANCA-WR’s ‘Legislator of the Year’ Award at its 2014 Gala Banquet for his long-standing commitment to representing the Armenian-American community and integral role in California’s recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, and has remained steadfast in his support since, playing a significant role in securing $3 million for the construction of the Armenian American Museum, and the allocation of $10 million for programs related to incorporating Armenian Genocide education into the public school curriculum.

In 2014, De León was chosen to become the California Senate President Pro-Tempore, leading the upper house of the California State Legislature and becoming the first Latino elected to the office in more than 130 years. His commitment to diversity and community empowerment has extended to his constituents, from facilitating assistance to the Armenian Relief Society’s Hollywood Social Service Center, to highlighting the Armenian community’s significant impact on the cultural fabric of Los Angeles by working to put Little Armenia on the map and securing internationally renowned French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – as well as endorsing and empowering Armenian candidates.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Political analyst: Pipeline to link Persian Gulf and Black Sea to run through Armenia

Tambiyan Samvel
panorama.am
Armenia – Feb 7 2022

POLITICS 14:02 07/02/2022 ARMENIA

The pipeline to connect the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea is to run through Armenia, political analyst Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan says.

“Iran has made a final decision not to use the territory of Nakhichevan for the establishment of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea corridor; the pipeline will pass through the territory of Armenia,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday.

The analyst says negotiations on the project will continue in Bulgaria soon. The states that are part of the energy corridor –  Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece – are expected to sign a relevant agreement.

“Thus, the Iranian side recognizes Syunik as a region of strategic importance for itself in deed, and not only in word. It is also known that an Iranian consulate will soon open in Kapan,” Melik-Shahnazaryan stated.

“Naturally, this is good news. Armenia will finally break through the communication blockade and Turkey’s presence in Artsakh will, in a sense, be compensated by Iran’s presence in Syunik.

“However, these geopolitical and geo-economic reshuffling also poses a serious problem for us. In particular, Armenia’s opportunity to make decisions on issues of vital importance to it is practically nullified.

“This is not the only problem. What is also important is that Armenia is left empty-handed in this regional reshuffling. Or rather, we are being offered only crumbs. Meanwhile, we can at least raise the issue of [Azerbaijani-occupied Artsakh towns] Hadrut and Shushi.

“I realize that Armenia is the defeated side in the war, but I also know the reasons for that. Incidentally, Moscow, Baku, Tehran and all other capitals know it as well. Accordingly, the issue of Hadrut and Shushi and, in case of a good job, also Karvachar’s issue are still relevant. Unless, of course, the traitorous authorities sell them for dividends expected in exchange for gas transit and other similar projects,” the analyst said.

Serzh Sargsyan: Pashinyan’s claim that he possesses full information on Karabakh negotiations is ‘a complete lie’

Tambiyan Samvel
panorama.am
Armenia – Feb 1 2022

Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan talked about the negotiation process for the conflict resolution in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in an exclusive interview on Monday. 

Interviewer: A few days ago the Prime Minister said that there was no information pertaining to the settlement in Artsakh which you would know and he would not. He claimed the entire relevant information has been put on his table since 2018.

On the other hand, the allegations about what you have negotiated during those ten years in office and what you argue was your legacy as negotiation portfolio left to the incumbent Prime Minister, are diametrically different. How could that be the case?

Serzh Sargsyan: You know, I could consider it below my sense of dignity and skip touching upon all those speeches and interviews during the past 1.5 months, which had been full of complete lies, fabrications, inaccuracies and manipulations. But there are two things that made me accept your invitation. First among those is that the presumptuous _expression_, which we all heard, claiming he possesses the full-scale information regarding the negotiations and the negotiation process itself, is a complete lie. It’s a lie, because it is impossible just to read the documents and be fully aware of the negotiation process. It’s impossible just by reading a paper. I would just say that even I cannot claim that I was aware of absolutely all the outstanding details, because except the negotiations that I was in, there was also Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan who was preparing those negotiations and steering the pre-negotiation phase. This is a very important aspect to mention.

This begs a question. When we came to power, how did it happen that from the very outset we, in our opinion, continued going in the right direction? That’s because we – that means not only myself, but also Edward Nalbandyan – not just for hours, not just for days or months, but for years really were discussing the relevant questions with those people who were fully aware of all the previous phases of the process.

And there is one other factor that influenced my decision. If they are so presumptuous to declare that they have had complete information at their disposal, how did it happen that in 2019 they were trapped down? I mean when they were offered a new – I’ll put it this way – a new document and they accepted that document as a basis for negotiations, for a full year they were lying to the Armenian society, but not only Armenian society, suggesting that there was no any negotiation process.

Interviewer: Until Lavrov declassified that…

Serzh Sargsyan: Correct. But before this declassification by Lavrov, we were voicing alarm, we were saying that there were negotiations, that there were new proposals, since without all that what would the Foreign Minister be speaking with his Azerbaijani counterpart? At the end of the day they were embarrassed before the whole world, right when – as you noted – Foreign Minister Lavrov uncovered that entire process. 

Interviewer: Pashinyan claimed in his latest Facebook press conference that certain promises had been made by you personally and that in 2018-2019 it was the time to fulfill those promises which were not reflected in any of the documents. 

Serzh Sargsyan: Davit, I have to try to correct you and say that he has not said all that directly. True to his style, he has made an allusion to that, which he can renounce every other second.

I can say the following: absolutely no verbal promise has been made. It has never been our workstyle – to yield something in accordance with verbal arrangements, be that something tangible or not.

But let me continue speaking about the first aspect and tell you that when I was listening to the portions about Artsakh in that interview, it was astonishing to hear some so-called “arguments”, which I heard in 2008, 2009 and 2010 from the President of Azerbaijan. It would seem to me at certain moments – to be very honest with you – that it was Azerbaijani President speaking, not Armenia’s governor. It was very painful, because he no longer could use those objective arguments that would give us good chances to achieve a status for Artsakh, as if he tries to put forward those arguments tomorrow, he will be reminded of his own words used.

Interviewer: Mr President, I can guess what arguments you mean. I have those grouped and will ask you to touch upon each of those in a nutshell.

Serzh Sargsyan: Just let me mention about the second aspect too. Secondly, I have come to observe that among certain political forces in Armenia and many intelligent people there is a sense of disillusionment. There is a certain atmosphere of disappointment. And the allegations of those – I mean both the incumbent authorities here and those in Azerbaijan – that the Nagorno Karabakh issue is resolved, has in some ways affected these people. I have come on air to declare once again that Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. And for that – despite the calamitous war, despite the capitulation – there are still opportunities to be seized.

Report: Turkey looking to establish more air routes with Armenia

Tambiyan Samvel
Jan 25 2022
January 25, 2022 – 16:40 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The possible launch of flights from Armenia to the cities of Van and Kars in Turkey is under discussion, according to Hurriyet daily news, which has obtained details from a recent briefing held at the country’s Presidency.

Turkey and Armenia held their first meeting at the level of special envoys in Moscow in mid-January and agreed to continue talks for reconciling and establishing diplomatic and economic bonds after three decades. As part of confidence-building measures, they have also agreed to start reciprocal charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan.

According to the information obtained from the briefing, it has been agreed that further studies should be made to launch flights between different cities, including Kars and Van, the cities hosting important religious and historical sites for Armenians. Especially Van, where a historical Armenian Church on Akdamar Island is located, can turn into a touristic spot for the Armenians, noted the briefing.

Plus, participants of the meeting discussed the need for a restoration campaign of some historical architectural structures near Kars, including bridges and buildings that are of importance to Armenians. In addition, increasing trade and economic activities with Armenia would ease up the Armenian diaspora, which seems to be skeptical about normalizing ties with Turkey.

Turkish press: Armenia likely to take part in Turkiye’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum: PM

Tambiyan Samvel
Emre Gürkan Abay   |25.01.2022

YEREVAN, Armenia

The Armenian prime minister said on Monday that his country will most likely attend this year’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Turkiye.

Speaking at a virtual news conference, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned the beginning of talks for normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkiye, saying it would be unreasonable to miss the opportunity for dialogue.

If the process continues, there is a high probability that Armenia will accept the invitation to participate in the event, he said.

The annual forum will be held on March 11-13 with the theme of “Recoding Diplomacy.”

Turkiye and Armenia have long been divided by a number of issues, from Armenia’s refusal to recognize their shared border to historical incidents with the Ottoman Empire’s Armenian population in 1915, during World War I.

Over the past year, Ankara has repeatedly urged Yerevan to check its hostile approach and work for regional peace.

The first meeting of special representatives from both the countries was held on Jan. 14 in the Russian capital Moscow.

According to a statement by Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry, the parties exchanged preliminary views on the process “in a positive and constructive atmosphere” and “agreed to continue negotiations without preconditions aiming at full normalization.”

Pashinyan also hoped for a peace deal with Azerbaijan, with whom Armenia had a 44-day conflict over Karabakh in late 2020.

By the time a Russian-brokered agreement brought the fighting to an end, Baku had liberated several cities and 300 settlements and villages that were occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.


Armenian FM visits Schengen Agreement Monument in Luxembourg

Tambiyan Samvel

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 09:38, 26 January, 2022

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan visited the Monument “Schengen Agreement” during his official visit in Luxembourg, the foreign ministry reported.

The Armenian FM was accompanied by Mayor of Schengen Michel Gloden and Director of the European Center Schengen Martina Kneip.

The minister has also toured the European Center Schengen on the sidelines of the visit.

Asbarez: Limited Spots Available for ANCA ‘Rising Leaders’ Seminar in March

Tambiyan Samvel
 by Contributor

 

 January 27, 2022

 

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Deadline to apply to the ANCA’s “Rising Leaders” conference extended to Feb. 7

Alumni Praise Innovative 3-Day Washington, DC Youth Empowerment Program; Application Deadline extended to February 7

WASHINGTON—Armenian American university students have two more weeks to apply for the Armenian National Committee of America’s “Rising Leaders: Career Development and Civic Education” Program, which will introduce young Armenians Washington, DC’s advocacy, policy, politics, and media opportunities through a unique 3-day immersion program.

The ANCA is offering two participation options—March 6 to 8 and March 13 to 15t—to coincide with the two major Spring Break timelines at most universities. The top 25 applicants, based on academic excellence and proven community youth leadership, will be chosen for each session.  Applications and additional information are available on the event’s website.  Students who are chosen for the program have two participation options – one that offers housing for the three-day program ($100) and the other which includes program fees alone ($25). Students are responsible for travel to and from Washington, DC. Financial aid will be provided based on need and availability.

“We’re looking forward to working with the top Armenian American university students from across the country who have already applied for our 2022 Rising Leaders programs,” said ANCA Program Director Alex Manoukian. “We’ve extended the application term just two more weeks to ensure students have the opportunity to take advantage of this fun, innovative, and educational program in our nation’s capital.”

ANCA Rising Leaders alumni from the 2019 inaugural year have become enthusiastic advocates for the unique program.

ANCA Eastern Region Communications Specialist Nairi Diratsouian explains, “The ANCA Rising Leaders program provided me with a greater understanding of grassroots advocacy and strengthened my knowledge of Armenian-American policy priorities. Ultimately, it allowed me to understand how I can direct my passion for Hai Tahd [the Armenian Cause] into tangible goals and led me to where I am today.”

Former AYF Western U.S. Central Executive member and Leo Sarkisian Internship alumnus Hakop Hajipekyan notes, “ANCA’s Rising Leaders Program is an incredible opportunity for Armenian American students considering a career in Washington DC. The three-day program provides workshops and seminars where students/participants will get an understanding of the ins and outs of grassroots advocacy and policy-making in our nation’s capital. Not to mention the unfettered access participants will have to a multitude of resources and professionals already working in the field.”

AYF New Jersey “Arsen” Chapter’s Karnie Dishoyan remarked that, “taking part in this program gave me the opportunity to network with Armenian professionals and to promote the Armenian cause on Capitol Hill.”

The ANCA has once again teamed up with the Armenian Youth Federation Eastern and Western U.S. and the Georgetown University Armenian Students Association (Georgetown ASA) in hosting these unique student-focused events, generously supported by Dean Shahinian and the family of the late ANCA activist Lucine Kouchakdjian.

The 2022 sessions will begin Sunday with a full day of interactive presentations by the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program Advisory Committee focusing on career search fundamentals, from resume preparation and networking 101 to an overview of the Washington, DC internship and job market. Monday activities will include meetings with policy, political and media professionals, including current and former federal agency and Congressional staff, to discuss careers in the nation’s capital. Those will be followed by an extended session with ANCA team members on advancing community priorities on the federal, state, and local levels. The seminar will be capped off with the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Hill Day, a full day of Capitol Hill discussions with Members of Congress and staff on strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties, supporting Artsakh freedom, and securing justice for the Armenian Genocide.

Throughout the program, ample opportunities will be provided to explore Washington, DC, and make new friends.

Over 30 students from top universities and high schools across the U.S. traveled to the nation’s capital to take part in the ANCA’s inaugural Rising Leaders Program in 2019, which was made possible, in large part, through a generous contribution by the Ararat Foundation Shahinian Educational Fund. Longtime ANCA supporter Dean Shahinian is again the major sponsor of this unique youth development program along with the family and friends of Lucine Kouchakdjian.

Dean Shahinian served in the federal government in various capacities for over 30 years, including 16 years at the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, where he worked with Committee Chairs on numerous bills and laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act. In the Armenian community, he has served on the boards of St. Nersess Seminary and the Armenian Students Association.  He has also served multiple terms on the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

For dozens of years, living in the DC area – in addition to her cultural, education, and charitable work with a broad range of community organizations – Lucine Zadoian Kouchakdjian organized highly effective ANCA campaigns to foster a forward-leaning spirit of civic responsibility among Armenian Americans across the nation’s capital. The Rising Leaders Capitol Hill day was named in memory of her lifetime of service to the Armenian Cause following her passing earlier this year.

For more information, email [email protected] or simply register today or visit the program’s website.

Turkish press: Turkish defense industry thrives as Akıncı UCAV inks 1st export deal

Tambiyan Samvel
 ISTANBUL JAN 23, 2022 – 1:45 PM GMT+3

The unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Akıncı is seen in the air during its second test flight, Tekirdağ province, northwestern Turkey, Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Baykar via DHA)

The Turkish defense industry, which has increased its export performance in recent years and aims to be among the top 10 in the world within five years, has recently signed the first export contract for the state-of-the-art unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar Akıncı, one of the company’s newest products.

Istanbul Defense and Aerospace Cluster Association (SAHA) Chairperson of the Board and drone magnate Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar, evaluating the performance of the sector in 2021 told Anadolu Agency (AA) Sunday that Turkey is yielding positive outcomes of its vision of nationalizing defense and aviation products step by step.

Bayraktar emphasized that the biggest success for the sector this year is the increase in exports achieved with this vision.

The defense and aerospace industry broke a record by exceeding $3 billion for the first time in 2021 and made exports totaling $3.22 billion (TL 43.3 billion).

“The important point here is the development of domestic added value in the export composition, increasing year by year,” Bayraktar said and added that while a strong and independent defense industry is indispensable for Turkey, it is important to strengthen defense and aviation exports to countries with whom Turkey has strategic relations.

“Beyond providing an economic gain, defense exports also provide a suitable basis for establishing strategic relations with the countries to which you export and for the development of all kinds of commercial and social activities with these countries. Therefore, it is of critical importance that the export volume of the sector is effective and sustainable,” he said.

Stating that the sector’s exports have increased significantly in the last 15 years on a dollar basis, Bayraktar informed that the export volume in the Turkish defense and aerospace sector has grown approximately seven times in dollar terms from 2006 to 2021. The sector also now constitutes around 1% of the world’s total defense and aerospace exports.

“This is a great success,” he said, “currently, 75% of the total exports in this field are still realized by the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China.”

Stating that the main goal of the industry is to increase its market share on a global scale and to be among the top 10 exporting countries, Bayraktar said, “If the export volume continues to develop with this trend, we will be among the top 10 countries in defense exports within five years.”

“Turkey, which has reduced its defense imports by 60% today, will reach an important point in the short and medium-term with export-oriented works, based on the increasing number of companies and projects in our sector,” Bayraktar commented.

He further noted that as SAHA Istanbul, they are endeavoring to develop and produce the main platforms, subsystems and critical components nationally together with 704 companies and to export them.

“We have supported 76 companies’ products in creating demand abroad and increasing their competitiveness,” he added.

Noting that in 2021 nearly 100 foreign companies participated in the fair, they will continue to ensure that domestic manufacturers meet with foreign companies this year at the SAHA EXPO 2022 fair that will be held on Oct. 25-28.

Bayraktar emphasized that thanks to the steps and efforts taken toward developing domestic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and UCAVs, both met the needs of the country as well as the technology being exported to the world.

He stated that export contracts were signed with 16 countries for Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs, which completed 420,000 flight hours.

“We have also completed the first export contract of Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV. Within the scope of the contract, we will deliver Bayraktar Akıncı UCAVs and ground systems in 2023. Baykar, which carries out all its projects with its own resources from the research and development (R&D) stage, generates more than 85% of its revenues from exports,” he announced.

Bayraktar said, “thanks to these export revenues,” Baykar creates R&D resources for platforms such as the high-tech Combat Unmanned Aerial System (MIUS) and Bayraktar TB3.

The Baykar official said that “not so many years ago, Turkey’s defense industry was an industry that looked like a contract manufacturer.”

Value-added products developed by Turkey’s defense industry, such as armored vehicles, aircraft, naval platforms, ammunition, UAVs and UCAVs – whose intellectual property and industrial rights completely belong to the country – are exported to 169 countries, including NATO and European Union member states.

“Therefore, we strive to establish our route and target with a national focus. We must increase the rate of domestic production in critical subsystems and components as well as the main platforms developed. With the increase in the number of localized products instead of products subject to export licenses, our industry will grow,” he said.

Bayraktar added that the defense and aerospace industry has led to the introduction of many inventions and technologies that make life easier in the fields of the internet, Global Positioning System (GPS) and medicine all over the world, and added that the development in these sectors heralds those technological solutions to contribute more to daily life soon.

“For example, the UAVs used for the early detection of forest fires today may have an active role in extinguishing these fires in the future with further studies being completed,” he explained.

Turkey’s domestic fortunes are tied to foreign policy success

Tambiyan Samvel
ARAB NEWS, Saudi Arabia
Jan 28 2022



SINEM CENGIZ
22:52

In the past, foreign policy did not get a lot of attention from the Turkish public. However, as Turkey has started to play a greater role in international and regional politics, the public is taking a more serious look at the country’s record on foreign policy issues.
Inevitably, the first focus of the Turkish people is on the economic and domestic issues that affect them the most. However, in recent years the country’s foreign policy orientation has started to have an effect on both the domestic and economic fronts.
Foreign policy issues have become a hot topic of debate in Turkey before every election. As the country approaches one of its most important elections, scheduled for next year, there seem to be significant changes in foreign policy, not only in terms of rhetoric and discourse but also substance and strategy.
A recent report published by a Turkish daily newspaper stated that an overall assessment of Turkey’s foreign policy and its priorities was made during a briefing held at the Turkish Presidency a couple of weeks ago. Officials concluded that Turkey’s success in dealing with internal problems depends on its diplomatic performance.
The report also said that Turkey’s short-term priority in foreign policy will be to focus on normalizing strained ties with regional foes, including Armenia, Israel and Gulf countries, to create a “trouble-free circle” around its neighborhood.
There is now a speedy phase of reconciliation efforts in progress with Armenia, Israel and the Gulf countries, in a way that would have been unthinkable a year ago. In the coming months, in particular February and March, there are expected to be several high-level official visits and meetings to boost this rapid normalization process.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said his country might send its foreign minister to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that will be hosted by the Turkish government in March. He said: “It would be irrational to miss a chance to continue meetings.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed that Turkey has invited neighboring countries to attend, including Armenia, Greece, Greek Cyprus, Israel and Egypt, nations with which Turkey has strained relationships.
Ankara revealed the invitation was sent to Yerevan less than a week after their respective special envoys held their first round of negotiations on normalizing relations between the two states.

The normalization of relations with Egypt, the Gulf countries, Israel, Armenia and Greece will be a litmus test for Turkey’s new diplomatic-restoration efforts.

Sinem Cengiz

The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministries described the talks, held in Moscow, as “positive and constructive” and agreed to continue the discussions about reconciliation and reestablishing diplomatic and economic bonds after three decades.
As part of confidence-building efforts, they also agreed to resume reciprocal charter flights between Istanbul and Yerevan. There are also reports that studies are being carried out into the possibility of launching flights between Armenia and other cities in Turkey, including Kars and Van, which contain religious and historical sites of importance to Armenians.
Also, this week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged, during a meeting with Armenian Foundations Union President Bedros Sirinoglu, to implement a legal arrangement that will allow religious foundations for minorities in Turkey to elect their own boards of directors.
In Turkey’s relations with Israel, meanwhile, there seems to be a softening of the language toward Tel Aviv and it is likely that further exchanges will take place following telephone conversations between the two countries’ presidents and foreign ministers. For a move toward full rapprochement, the next development in ties would be the reciprocal appointment of ambassadors.
Erdogan recently revealed that a potential visit by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, is being discussed and there is an expectation that it might happen as soon as the first half of February. He also said that Ankara is ready to discuss an alternative gas pipeline after the US rescinded its support for a planned conduit to carry Israeli gas to Europe via Cyprus and Greece.
Regarding relations with the Gulf countries, Erdogan has revealed plans to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE in mid-February. There are already ongoing talks with Egypt as part of the normalization strategy with Arab states that have been at odds with Ankara.
Another crucial area in which Turkey might continue to stimulate normalization efforts could be the improvement of relations with the EU, in which Ankara’s relations with Greece have an important dimension.
Erdogan hosted a dinner for EU ambassadors in Turkey on Jan. 13 to discuss the prospects for beginning a positive phase of relations with the members of the union. Shortly after that meeting, the Turkish-Greek Joint Economic Commission convened in Athens on Jan. 24 for the first time since 2010. Turkish Deputy Trade Minister Mustafa Tuzcu and Greek Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Konstantinos Fragogiannis co-chaired this fifth session of the JEC.
It is obvious that some of Turkey’s foreign policy problems will not be resolved any time soon. Yet a new rhetoric and a new strategy of engagement will help, paving the way for a positive track in strained relations.
The normalization of relations with Egypt, the Gulf countries, Israel, Armenia and Greece will be a litmus test for Turkey’s new diplomatic-restoration efforts.
The outcome of these efforts is likely to have a significant effect on how Ankara copes with the economic and domestic issues the country faces ahead of the upcoming elections.

  • Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkey’s relations with the Middle East. Twitter: @SinemCngz
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News’ point-of-view

Armenia FM: We are trying to find out which part of package we sent is unacceptable for Azerbaijan

Tambiyan Samvel
  News.am  
Armenia – Jan 28 2022
15:30, 28.01.2022

The Armenian side does not have clarifications yet on which of the proposals on border demarcation and delimitation is unacceptable for Azerbaijan. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated about this to reporters at Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan Friday—on Army Day anniversary—, adding that these clarifications are being determined.

To the question as to whether the Armenian side is waiting for the proposals of the Azerbaijani side, or will it present new proposals, the Armenian FM responded as follows: “There is a constant discussion, the discussion continues. Now we are trying to get clarifications as to especially which part [of these proposals] is unacceptable [for Azerbaijan]. On what grounds? And, accordingly, what new solutions there can be?”

On January 19, Ararat Mirzoyan had announced in the National Assembly: “The Armenian side has prepared a package of several measures aimed at de-escalating the situation, reducing tension, raising the level of security and stability on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone, and has transmitted [this package] to both the Russian and Azerbaijan—mediated by the Russian side—, [as well as] to the other partners.”