WHAT IS A PLATFORM FOR?
Support A1+!“Ankara’s idea of creating a South Caucasus Cooperation and Security platform is unserious and not a full-fledged initiative,” told “A1+” former RA Foreign Minister Vahan Papazyan.
The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey exchanged ideas on the platform yesterday in Istanbul.
“Discussions, meetings and talks on the idea are possible, but it is not concrete,” said Papazyan.
Director of the ARF Bureau’s Armenian Cause and Political Affairs office Kiro Manoyan shares that opinion. According to him, the platform initiative doesn’t presuppose the creation of a concrete structure because there are no prerequisites.
“People speak on a platform and play roles, but nothing real happens. I believe that is exactly what Turkey wants,” told “A1+”.
According to Kiro Manoyan, the establishment of ties with Armenia is as important for Ankara as it is for Yerevan because the lack of diplomatic ties with Armenia impedes Turkey’s wishes to have an influence in the region.
“The question is not everybody’s consent for Turkey’s idea, but rather Turkey’s wish to solve issues in the South Caucasus and the major obstacle facing Turkey is the lack of relations with Armenia,” underlined Manoyan.
Manoyan says that this is the reason why the Armenian administration must maintain its stance and hold talks without preconditions. However, Turkey must also leave aside preconditions.
“We are not setting preconditions judging from the situation at hand, but we must stay true to our stance understanding that Turkey needs to establish diplomatic ties with Armenia,” told “A1+” director of the ARF Bureau’s Armenian Cause and Political Affairs office.
