Turkey is seeking to establish good relations with all of its neighbors and, with this end in view, is launching a new policy of zero problems with neighbors, Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu stated while addressing the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) on “New World Geopolitics: How Turkey is Contributing to Global Peace and Security as a Member of the UN Security Council”.

Tatevik Grigorian of the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE) reminded the Turkish FM that the Armenian-Turkish protocols do not contain any preconditions though Armenia could have raised the issue of the Armenian Genocide. Turkey, for its part, is not only delaying the ratification, but has set a precondition, one involving a third country, Azerbaijan, in the context of Nagorno-Karabakh. Moreover, referring to the verdict of the RA Constitutional Court, which only confirms the constitutionality of the protocols, Turkey is now impeding the ratification though the RA Constitutional Court’s verdict cannot be an impediment to further Armenian-Turkish dialogue.

Responding to the FAAE’s question as to whether Turkey has changed its position or it was initially insincere, the Turkish FM stated that Turkey attaches importance to security in the South Caucasus and to a political dialogue with all the three states. It was with this end in view that Turkey signed the protocols and submitted them to Parliament. Minister Davutoglu did his best for the protocols to be submitted to Parliament and ratified though that was not at all his duty.

Turkey is being accused of delaying the ratification of the protocols, but Turkey is actually seeking to establish contacts with both Armenia and the Armenians and Turks scattered all over the world, Davutoglu said. Turkey, however, denies the idea of Armenian Genocide, as a great many Turks were killed during that period and thousands emigrated from the Balkans, the Turkish FM said. As regards preconditions, he stated that Turkey is seeking a radical solution to the problem, for security to be established in the entire region. According to Davutoglu, 20% of Azerbaijan’s territories are occupied, and neither Turkey nor Azerbaijan agrees to the status quo. But the protocols can be ratified provided the aforementioned problem is resolved – Turkey is still hoping for that, Davutoglu said.

T.P.