Turkey provokes conflict with its regional ally in the case when the situation at all its borders is tense, former US State Department advisor and Heritage Foundation’s Russian and Eurasian Studies and International Energy Policy Project Manager Ariel Cohen said in an interview with IzRus news portal.     

In Cohen’s words, Turkish PM Erdogan has given Armenia a historic chance to establish close ties with Israel. “The Turks destroyed with their own hands the relations with their only stable regional partner. And this is occurring at a time when their ‘Zero Problems with Neighbors’ Policy has become a malicious joke. The Turks have problems throughout their border. Instead of making slanders against Israel, the Turks should look in the mirror,” Cohen noted.

He added that without pressure by the Jewish lobby, the Turkish positions are weakening in terms of obstructing US recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “The genocide’s recognition by the Congress is a matter of time. And if that happens, an opportunity would arise for the Armenian side to demand compensation from Turkey,” Cohen maintained. So, by losing Israel as an ally in that issue, Turkey puts itself at the risk of receiving a very powerful economic blow.

“Today, Armenia has an absolutely historic chance to establish ties with Israel. But it must understand that it should not be a maximalist. Israel would not like to destroy relations with Azerbaijan. So, it is solely by way patience and understanding that Yerevan can establish good relations,” Cohen concluded.