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18.09.2014

THE ARMENIAN ISSUES IN THE AGENDA OF THE THIRD WORLD TURKIC FORUM

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Arestakes Simavoryan
Head of the Centre for Armenian Studies, Noravank Foundation

In accordance with its foreign policy strategy, Turkey undertakes measures to unify Turkic countries around its axis, aimed at forming a common agenda not only in the political arena, but also in the areas of culture, education and tourism. The scientific/analytical centers (‘think-tanks’) are involved in these undertakings as well.

The Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies (TASAM-Türk Asya Stratejik Araştırmalar Merkezi) especially stands out in this respect. Historic, cultural, political, economic, legal, socio-cultural and even nuclear issues comprise integral part of this institution’s research. It is quite a renowned both in Turkey and outside. During its decade-long activities this structure succeeded in establishing relations and collaboration formats with reputable think-tanks in various countries, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation and Central Asian countries.

Its regional studies cover geographical areas from South America to Indonesia. In addition to expert studies, the center carries out a policy aimed at strengthening ties with Turkic countries and communities in the mentioned geographical areas, using forums and conferences.

In the Turkish foreign policy matters, the center is guided by and receives intellectual and organizational support from Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is financed by some state-owned banks, local authorities/municipalities and business circles. This explains TASAM’s intensive activities in the area of foreign policy, in consistence with A. Davutoğlu’s future-looking theories of “ideal”, multi-vector Turkish policies.

In the recent years TASAM created new formats for collaboration with the Islamic and Turkic worlds – the Think Tanks Forum of OIC Countries and the World Turkic Forum.

In this context the Third World Turkic Forum is remarkable, which was organized by TASAM initiative on May 28-30, 2014 in Edirne, Turkey. Two key problems were discussed during the Forum:

1. Turkic Republics; Culture Diplomacy and Tourism

2. Turkic and Armenian Diasporas; Public Diplomacy: Opportunities and Risks

The forum was attended by members of Grand National Assembly of Turkey and PMs from participant countries, representatives of Turkish and Azerbaijani diaspora from various countries, leading policy experts, scholars, state governance system representatives from Turkic-speaking countries and others. As the Forum press release states, a number of Armenian experts also took part in discussions, which caused some frustration among the Azerbaijani party1.

As it was the case with the first and second Forums, in addition to problems of pan-Turkic significance the Third Forum also included discussions on Armenian and Armenian-related issues2. Interestingly, the Armenian issues have gained such importance that became one of the two main themes of the Third Forum agenda. However, unlike the first two events, where general methods of struggle were developed, the third one stood out by clarification and concretization of approaches.

The session on Turkic and Armenian Diasporas; Public Diplomacy: Opportunities and Risks was led by two Western “scholars” who deny the Armenian Genocide - Justin McCarthy of the University of Louisville, USA and Christopher Gunn, PhD from Florida State University. In his introductory note Justin McCarthy once again voiced his old views that not to stand up to any scrutiny, in essence offering nothing new. The same could be stated about his associates.

The Forum Declaration narrates about development of touristic, educational and cultural relations in the Turkic world, as well as issues of relationship with Armenia and diaspora. The part of the declaration related to Armenia consists of six items, which can be condensed into three main directions:

1. Centenary of the Armenian Genocide

2. Armenia – Turkey and Armenia – Azerbaijan relations

3. Relations with the Armenian Diaspora.

Centenary of the Armenian Genocide։ In order to neutralize Armenian Diaspora’s actions in various countries related to the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015 a decision was made to carry out activities in three main dimensions: a) legal; b) academic; and c) political.

Armenia – Turkey and Armenia –Azerbaijan relations։ In this regard the Turkish party notes that since signing the Armenian-Turkish protocols the relations were frozen mainly because of two reasons and that for establishing bilateral relations Armenia has to discontinue hatred propaganda against Turks and stop “occupation” of Azerbaijan.

Obviously, the approach of the Republic of Turkey to use a language of preconditions in Armenia-Turkey relations is prevalent also among the scientific/analyst circles, especially the centers that receive government support. This proves once again that Turkish government is not going to abandon its version of “vision” for normalizing relations with Armenia and that since such analytic entities are viewed as “political wings” to supports its policies, they are used to send additional messages to Armenia.

It was proposed to involve Kazakhstan, a CSTO member, as mediator in solving the existing problems in the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.

Relations with the Armenian Diaspora: It is not the first time that statements are made at the Turkish government level regarding the need to establish direct links with the Armenian Diaspora. It has to be noted that a two-prong policy is carried out in this direction. On the one hand, attempts are made to establish relations with the diaspora. On the other hand mechanisms to neutralize the diaspora influence are developed, including by mobilizing the Turkic communities, and these activities are related not only to the upcoming 2015 events, but in their objectives go far beyond.

It is well known that anti-Armenian policies of Turkey and Azerbaijan are actively supported by the Turkish/Azeri communities abroad. In this dimension the Forum proposed to unify the whole “Turkic diaspora” and found necessary to intensify their collaboration with Turkish/Azerbaijani structures, aiming to weaken the influence of the Armenian Diaspora3։ In achieving this strategic goal the problem of Turkic communities being fragmented gains primary importance and Edirne Forum has endeavored to overcome it.

In summary, it has to be noted that with 2015 on the horizon Turkey and Azerbaijan try to gradually create a wider format of cooperation to unite Turkic-speaking countries and to actively involve them in anti-Armenian policies.

1 «Проведение в Турции мероприятий по нормализации армяно-турецких отношений вызывает чувство разочарования», http://1news.az/interview/20140121073958315.html։

2 Ա.Սիմավորյան, Թուրքիա-թյուրքական աշխարհ հարաբերությունների շուրջ, «Գլոբուս Էներգետիկ և տարածաշրջանային անվտանգություն», թիվ 2, 2011, http://www.noravank.am/arm/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=5678

3 According to the Turkish assessment, although the “Turkic diaspora” is large in numbers, its effectiveness is much smaller than that of the Armenian diaspora.

“Globus” analytical bulletin, No. 7, 2014

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