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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
August 18, 2009
TURKISH FOREIGN MINSTRY RESPONDS TO ACNIS
DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN
In a statement released on August 14, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs responded to ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian's recent
comments to journalists in Yerevan regarding the state of
Turkish-Armenian diplomatic engagement. Citing Giragosian by name,
the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a clarification on recent Armenian
media reports that quoted the ACNIS Director's comments on
Turkish-Russian relations.
According to an official statement posted on the website of the
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 14, Giragosian was
quoted by the Armenian media as saying that a `secret agreement'
between Turkey and Russia was signed granting Russia access through
Turkish airspace to resupply the Russian base in the northern Armenian
city of Gyumri. The report was also widely disseminated, as the
Azerbaijani `Trend' news agency printed a statement on August 15
released by the Turkish Embassy in Baku that refuted the `information
about arms shipments to the Russian military base in Armenia via
Turkish airspace.' The Turkish Embassy in Baku released an official
statement to the Azerbaijani media claiming that `such information is
a step towards breaking friendship and fraternity of Turkey and
Azerbaijan.'
Although the Armenian media report was partially inaccurate, ACNIS
Director Giragosian did reveal that `Turkish and Russian officials are
currently negotiating a bilateral accord that would provide the
Russian military access to the Gyumri base through Turkish airspace
and territory in the event of an agreement to open the closed
Turkish-Armenian border.'
Most interestingly, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Özügergin
criticized Giragosian's comments in an interview with the Turkish
`Hurriyet' daily newspaper, stating that `it's an obvious provocation
aimed at breaking friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.'
As the official Turkish spokesman did not deny the essence of
Giragosian's comments, his comments sparked heated calls by leading
Turkish opposition newspapers demanding that Turkey should immediately
break off negotiations with Russia. The `Milliyet' daily newspaper,
for example, argued that `Russian arms supplied to Armenia will be
used against Azerbaijan,' adding that `assisting (the) Russian
military base is out of the question.'
In subsequent comments on this issue, ACNIS Director Richard
Giragosian noted that `the fact that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs felt compelled to officially respond to my comments reported
in the Armenian media only reveals the lack of trust inherent in
Turkish-Russian relations and further demonstrates the weakness of
Turkish foreign policy regarding its engagement of Armenia.' He also
said that the incident `questions the sincerity of Turkey's earlier
promises to forge new relations with Armenia, including a commitment
to end its blockade of Armenia and to address the legacy of the
Armenian genocide.' Giragosian explained that `the burden is now on
Turkey, as the international community is now becoming increasingly
impatient with what appears to be Turkey's indecisiveness and lack of
good will toward Armenia.'
Giragosian also stressed that `even if Turkey decides to reopen the
border with Armenia and to extend diplomatic relations with Armenia,
such moves should not be misinterpreted as any kind of gift or reward
to Armenia, as such minimal steps merely represent the basic
requirements for civilized countries.' He concluded by reiterating
the fact that `although there is still at least some degree of
optimism, it is Turkey that is in danger of missing a strategic
opportunity to move forward with Armenia.'
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am.
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 - 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 - 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website: www.acnis.am
August 18, 2009
TURKISH FOREIGN MINSTRY RESPONDS TO ACNIS
DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN
In a statement released on August 14, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs responded to ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian's recent
comments to journalists in Yerevan regarding the state of
Turkish-Armenian diplomatic engagement. Citing Giragosian by name,
the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a clarification on recent Armenian
media reports that quoted the ACNIS Director's comments on
Turkish-Russian relations.
According to an official statement posted on the website of the
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 14, Giragosian was
quoted by the Armenian media as saying that a `secret agreement'
between Turkey and Russia was signed granting Russia access through
Turkish airspace to resupply the Russian base in the northern Armenian
city of Gyumri. The report was also widely disseminated, as the
Azerbaijani `Trend' news agency printed a statement on August 15
released by the Turkish Embassy in Baku that refuted the `information
about arms shipments to the Russian military base in Armenia via
Turkish airspace.' The Turkish Embassy in Baku released an official
statement to the Azerbaijani media claiming that `such information is
a step towards breaking friendship and fraternity of Turkey and
Azerbaijan.'
Although the Armenian media report was partially inaccurate, ACNIS
Director Giragosian did reveal that `Turkish and Russian officials are
currently negotiating a bilateral accord that would provide the
Russian military access to the Gyumri base through Turkish airspace
and territory in the event of an agreement to open the closed
Turkish-Armenian border.'
Most interestingly, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Özügergin
criticized Giragosian's comments in an interview with the Turkish
`Hurriyet' daily newspaper, stating that `it's an obvious provocation
aimed at breaking friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.'
As the official Turkish spokesman did not deny the essence of
Giragosian's comments, his comments sparked heated calls by leading
Turkish opposition newspapers demanding that Turkey should immediately
break off negotiations with Russia. The `Milliyet' daily newspaper,
for example, argued that `Russian arms supplied to Armenia will be
used against Azerbaijan,' adding that `assisting (the) Russian
military base is out of the question.'
In subsequent comments on this issue, ACNIS Director Richard
Giragosian noted that `the fact that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs felt compelled to officially respond to my comments reported
in the Armenian media only reveals the lack of trust inherent in
Turkish-Russian relations and further demonstrates the weakness of
Turkish foreign policy regarding its engagement of Armenia.' He also
said that the incident `questions the sincerity of Turkey's earlier
promises to forge new relations with Armenia, including a commitment
to end its blockade of Armenia and to address the legacy of the
Armenian genocide.' Giragosian explained that `the burden is now on
Turkey, as the international community is now becoming increasingly
impatient with what appears to be Turkey's indecisiveness and lack of
good will toward Armenia.'
Giragosian also stressed that `even if Turkey decides to reopen the
border with Armenia and to extend diplomatic relations with Armenia,
such moves should not be misinterpreted as any kind of gift or reward
to Armenia, as such minimal steps merely represent the basic
requirements for civilized countries.' He concluded by reiterating
the fact that `although there is still at least some degree of
optimism, it is Turkey that is in danger of missing a strategic
opportunity to move forward with Armenia.'
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia's first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected];
or visit www.acnis.am.