NEWS.am posts the article “A new name for an ancient region” by Nareg Seferian, published in “Today’s Zaman” daily.
“Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan have been dealing with crises of identity for much of their modern history. They look to the European Union for their future, and so many in these four states fancy themselves either already -- or en route to -- being European,” the daily reads.
“This is misplaced, in my opinion, and stems from the very different legacies borne by these four peoples, something that will serve as an immense hindrance to their ever participating fully in a European identity.”
“Just naming the region is a problem in itself. Is it “the Near East?” Near to what? Presumably to Europe. But surely there can be a name for the four countries more or less on their own terms. “Eurasia” has been in vogue, but it seems too grandiose, and also misleading, as it certainly does not encompass all of Asia,” the daily reports.
“Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan are often “the Transcaucasus.” But “trans” -- across from -- where? That is Moscow’s point of view, which many are downplaying of late, if not outright rejecting. Referring to “the South Caucasus” or even just “the Caucasus” seems unfair, as Azerbaijan and Armenia can only just claim to possess any portion of the Greater or Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges,” the source says.
“Will all of this confusion go away for good, then, if the four join the EU? The fact of the matter is that Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan have never shared and do not have a share today in the major factors that make up Europe, especially the dominant characteristics that stem from the Western European heritage,” the author stresses.
“None of this is to say that there is no reason for these four countries to have important ties with the European world. Trade, culture, education, tourism, ecumenical religious activities and cooperation in other areas would only be beneficial for all involved. The positive values that the West portrays to the world -- rule of law, respect for human rights, freedom of expression -- certainly have universal bearing. Their promotion and development, spearheaded by the West, can and ought to take place in these four countries. The presence of vast numbers of Armenians and Turks and increasingly Georgians and Azerbaijanis as residents and citizens of European countries adds to the imperative to maintain good relations,” the daily reads.
“But the heart of the matter is this: the people of Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan must come to terms with the fact that they do not share the European heritage in the same way that most people on the continent do. The four countries must and do maintain constructive relations with the EU, but their full membership in that organization would end up being counterproductive because of the significant gap that exists in terms of their societies, cultures and, especially, their politics,” the author emphasizes.
“Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan have much more in common with one another, and certainly a great deal in common with the Middle East as well. That those four countries aren’t quite fully the Middle East either speaks to something, and this intermediate state must be reflected in the positions and policies of those countries,” the source says.
“Where does it leave them, then? The neither here, nor there, the in-between limbo state can be frustrating all right, but it can also be an opportunity to forge a new understanding of the cultures and societies of this particular region. They form the nearer East, or perhaps even the nearest East, for that matter. They are nearer to Europe than the rest of the Middle East, while still being nearer to the East than the rest of Europe -- nearest both to and from the East,” the daily reports.
“On their own terms, however, to be fair, I would propose that the region be more properly described as “Western Asia” because those people have the Orient as the basis of their societies -- an Asia in the classical sense of the word -- while at the same time being Westernized and looking to the West for their future,” the daily says.
“Ultimately, the people of Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan must come to terms with their relationships to those around them, chiefly with regards to one another, and must assert themselves in who they are and where they are, instead of relying on external factors to define their place in the world,” the author concludes.
