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Milliyet, Turkey
Jan 13 2005
Cooperation With Russia
BYEGM: 1/13/2005
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Leaders' official visits to other countries rarely yield
concrete, immediate results. Taking certain decisions to strengthen
economic ties and opening a Turkish Trade Center in the middle of
Moscow are among the positive results of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's visit this week to Russia. The actual successes of the
visit are the steps taken towards strategic partnership. During
meetings in Moscow, both sides showed a new stance not only over
bilateral relations, but also regional issues. Russia's stance on the
Cyprus issue and Turkey's relations with the EU are concrete examples
of this. Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements about Cyprus
signalled a move away from Russia's support for the Greek Cypriot
administration. Russia has now agreed to support UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan's plan and will also help lift the blockade on the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This is a truly important shift
in Moscow's Cyprus policy in favor of Turkey. Similarly, Putin stated
that he was glad about Turkey's integration with the EU, which is
another important development. During his visit to Ankara last month,
Putin warned that such integration posed a serious obstacle to
Turkish-Russian relations. Now, instead, he says it will open new
horizons.
Putin's statements on Armenia also signal possible strategic
cooperation between Ankara and Moscow on regional problems.
Concerning the Upper Karabagh issue, Putin said that Russia might
serve as a mediator and even a guarantor and that he would help
Turkey to forge friendly relations with Armenia. Erdogan doesn't want
strained relations with Turkey's neighbors and thinks that our policy
in the region is geared towards solutions. Of course Yerevan should
make positive signals towards this end, then Turkey will be able to
normalize relations. During the meetings in Moscow, it's significant
that the Armenian issue was also on the agenda. Ankara has stipulated
up to now that firstly Yerevan should withdraw from the Azerbaijani
territory it's occupying and solve its disputes with Baku in order
for Turkey to normalize its relations with Armenia. The reasons for
this stance can be understood easily. However, Turkey was unable to
play a mediator role because of this. Now Russia seems ready to step
in. However, if Turkey can establish a good dialogue with Yerevan, it
can help create a consensus between the parties and push claims of a
so-called Armenian genocide from the agenda. Now the Armenian
diaspora is about to try to take the initiative over the 90th
anniversary of the `genocide.' It's time for Ankara to step forward
now with a bold stance. This can be done in cooperation with Russia,
in light of Putin's statements.
Jan 13 2005
Cooperation With Russia
BYEGM: 1/13/2005
BY SAMI KOHEN
MILLIYET- Leaders' official visits to other countries rarely yield
concrete, immediate results. Taking certain decisions to strengthen
economic ties and opening a Turkish Trade Center in the middle of
Moscow are among the positive results of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan's visit this week to Russia. The actual successes of the
visit are the steps taken towards strategic partnership. During
meetings in Moscow, both sides showed a new stance not only over
bilateral relations, but also regional issues. Russia's stance on the
Cyprus issue and Turkey's relations with the EU are concrete examples
of this. Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements about Cyprus
signalled a move away from Russia's support for the Greek Cypriot
administration. Russia has now agreed to support UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan's plan and will also help lift the blockade on the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This is a truly important shift
in Moscow's Cyprus policy in favor of Turkey. Similarly, Putin stated
that he was glad about Turkey's integration with the EU, which is
another important development. During his visit to Ankara last month,
Putin warned that such integration posed a serious obstacle to
Turkish-Russian relations. Now, instead, he says it will open new
horizons.
Putin's statements on Armenia also signal possible strategic
cooperation between Ankara and Moscow on regional problems.
Concerning the Upper Karabagh issue, Putin said that Russia might
serve as a mediator and even a guarantor and that he would help
Turkey to forge friendly relations with Armenia. Erdogan doesn't want
strained relations with Turkey's neighbors and thinks that our policy
in the region is geared towards solutions. Of course Yerevan should
make positive signals towards this end, then Turkey will be able to
normalize relations. During the meetings in Moscow, it's significant
that the Armenian issue was also on the agenda. Ankara has stipulated
up to now that firstly Yerevan should withdraw from the Azerbaijani
territory it's occupying and solve its disputes with Baku in order
for Turkey to normalize its relations with Armenia. The reasons for
this stance can be understood easily. However, Turkey was unable to
play a mediator role because of this. Now Russia seems ready to step
in. However, if Turkey can establish a good dialogue with Yerevan, it
can help create a consensus between the parties and push claims of a
so-called Armenian genocide from the agenda. Now the Armenian
diaspora is about to try to take the initiative over the 90th
anniversary of the `genocide.' It's time for Ankara to step forward
now with a bold stance. This can be done in cooperation with Russia,
in light of Putin's statements.