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Russia and US "big winners" in Turkey-Armenia patch-up
The EU will "only reinforce Russian leverage over Europe" if it supports the renewed diplomatic efforts between Turkey and Armenia, say rights organisations.
"Many people in Armenia are very, very sceptical about this", says Laurent Leylekian of the European Armenia Federation, of the recent moves which will see turkey and Armenia restart diplomatic relations on October 10.
However, fears are that both countries will be forced to accept the current border, which is the old Soviet frontier and "no way" the border recognised by international treaties.
"Because of Russian pressure, Erdogan (Turkish PM) is being forced to accept this", says Leylekian. This, in turn, will force Armenia to "accept the Turkish policy of genocide" that has been the source of long-standing bitterness between the two states.
Armenia claims 1.5 million of its people were killed by Turkish forces in 1915, a claim denied by Turkey.
According to an EU resolution concluded last year, genocide denial is illegal under law; a fact that makes the EU's current handling of Turkey difficult to swallow for many Armenians.
As for the present situation, the EU should "not welcome Turkish games" in the region. "Russia is already a big stakeholder in Armenia, and Armenia has up to now has had to endure economic and political pressure from Russian power. So has Georgia and Azerbaijan. These small countries remain independent in the region, but the Question is for how long".
"If Armenia falls under Russian and Turkish pressure, then Georgia will be downgraded, and even more isolated".
Turkey still has to rely on about 60% of its energy imports from Russia, which is the root of the problem says Leylekian. "This whole situation questions the energy independence of Europe. "The EU now has to endure the control of pipelines to outside forces. If the EU supports [Turkey opening diplomatic relations with Armenia] Turkey will be allowed by Russia to play games in the region, and the EU will only reinforce Russian leverage over Europe".
The US also has a strategic eye on the region maintains Leylekian, with active efforts to portray the area "the only stable region" in that part of the world, following the wars in Iraq and the current tensions with Iran.
"The big winners in all this are the US, Russia and, to some extent, Turkey. Small countries used to have a choice of influences between Turkey and Russia. Now the choice will be between Russia and Russia".
http://www.eureporter.co.uk/story/ru...rs%E2%80%9D-tu...
The EU will "only reinforce Russian leverage over Europe" if it supports the renewed diplomatic efforts between Turkey and Armenia, say rights organisations.
"Many people in Armenia are very, very sceptical about this", says Laurent Leylekian of the European Armenia Federation, of the recent moves which will see turkey and Armenia restart diplomatic relations on October 10.
However, fears are that both countries will be forced to accept the current border, which is the old Soviet frontier and "no way" the border recognised by international treaties.
"Because of Russian pressure, Erdogan (Turkish PM) is being forced to accept this", says Leylekian. This, in turn, will force Armenia to "accept the Turkish policy of genocide" that has been the source of long-standing bitterness between the two states.
Armenia claims 1.5 million of its people were killed by Turkish forces in 1915, a claim denied by Turkey.
According to an EU resolution concluded last year, genocide denial is illegal under law; a fact that makes the EU's current handling of Turkey difficult to swallow for many Armenians.
As for the present situation, the EU should "not welcome Turkish games" in the region. "Russia is already a big stakeholder in Armenia, and Armenia has up to now has had to endure economic and political pressure from Russian power. So has Georgia and Azerbaijan. These small countries remain independent in the region, but the Question is for how long".
"If Armenia falls under Russian and Turkish pressure, then Georgia will be downgraded, and even more isolated".
Turkey still has to rely on about 60% of its energy imports from Russia, which is the root of the problem says Leylekian. "This whole situation questions the energy independence of Europe. "The EU now has to endure the control of pipelines to outside forces. If the EU supports [Turkey opening diplomatic relations with Armenia] Turkey will be allowed by Russia to play games in the region, and the EU will only reinforce Russian leverage over Europe".
The US also has a strategic eye on the region maintains Leylekian, with active efforts to portray the area "the only stable region" in that part of the world, following the wars in Iraq and the current tensions with Iran.
"The big winners in all this are the US, Russia and, to some extent, Turkey. Small countries used to have a choice of influences between Turkey and Russia. Now the choice will be between Russia and Russia".
http://www.eureporter.co.uk/story/ru...rs%E2%80%9D-tu...