A pro-Islamic regime in power in Turkey is the reason for he rapid cool-down in the Turkish-Israeli relations, Richard Giragosian, Head of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), told NEWS.am.

According to him, the pro-Islamic regime’s efforts to enhance Ankara’s role in the Middle East and in the Islamic World makes cooperation with Israel unnecessary for Turkey. “The latest developments are striking evidence of problems in the Turkish-Israeli relations, which is not at all a new tendency. The situation has reached its climax now, Ankara does not even want to allow Israel to take part in the NATO maneuvers in Turkey,” Giragosian said. He stressed Turkey is not seeking a leading role in the Islamic World, nor will it get it even “with the best will in the world” – at least because of internal conflicts. “Turkey is not an Islamist state, but pro-Islamic forces came to power there, which is the cause of internal conflicts. On the other hand, Turkey can serve as a bridge between parts of the Islamic World, between Iran and Syria,” the expert said. Giragosian pointed out that the intensifying cooperation between Ankara, Teheran and Damascus is making Israel “jealous and suspicious.”

As regards the prospects for more active Azerbaijani-Israeli cooperation amid the cool-down between Azerbaijan and Turkey following the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, Giragosian stressed that, irrespective of the Turkish factor, Israel has always maintained close cooperation with both Azerbaijan and Georgia. Considering the latest developments, this cooperation is likely to intensify. In this context, responding to a question as to whether Israel will seek the role of a third player in the region, Giragosian said: “I do not forecast such developments. First, Russia and United States will not allow it. Secondly, Israel’s regional interests are restricted to Iran.”

As to the possibility of Tel Aviv stopping its diplomatic support for Turkey’s policy of denying the Armenian Genocide, Girgosian said: “It is possible, but unlikely. The Turkish factor is not the only reason for Israel’s opposing the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide – it is jealousy as well. Israel wants the Holocaust to remain, as it were, the Jewish people’s exclusive tragedy.”