MEDIATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY WOULD BE A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL GAIN FOR IRAN

While Turkey has intensified its mediation efforts in the Middle East, Iran has volunteered to take on a similar challenge to break the ice between Ankara and Yerevan. “The possibility of such an initiative by Iran is highly optimistic,” Arif Keskin, a specialist on Iran at the Eurasian Strategic Research Center, or ASAM. Explaining that a possible mediation would be a multi-dimensional gain for Iran, Keskin said this is what has likely driven the country to make such an attempt. “Iran is the sole country rescuing Armenia from its isolation within the region. Armenia is currently under geopolitical siege, surrounded by countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan with whom it has long-standing problems.” “For Iran, Armenia has major strategic importance as well,” he said. “Iran wants to establish good relations with non-Turkish elements in the region, especially with Armenia. Its Azeri minority is a major concern. Therefore to alienate Turkey from Azerbaijan through an Armenian-Turkish reconciliation would be to its benefit,” he said. “Iran could not solve the problems between Turkey and Armenia. Moreover it is not clear how sincere Ankara is for a rapprochement with Yerevan. The establishment in Turkey does not want any change in bilateral relations,” he said. “Previous mediation efforts by Iran between Azerbaijan and Armenia resulted in Baku’s losing territory. It is disputable how impartial Iran can be, or to whose advantage it would work. It is unlikely that it would defend the Turkish thesis against Armenia,” he said. “Iran wants to give the message to the West that it can act within their parameters, that it is a stability factor in the region, not vice versa,” said Keskin. He said, however, that the initiative raises many questions in terms of Turkey. “I do not think that it was Ankara who asked for such a move from Iran. Turkey is disturbed by the depth of Iran-Armenia relations. Therefore it is definitely Iran’s own initiative.” According to Keskin, the Turkish government has to explain itself publicly in terms of its recent relations with Iran. “It is not just this mediation effort. Let’s take Ahmedinejad’s planned visit for example. What could Turkey gain from the visit of such a radical figure? Sure AKP (Justice and Development Party) would have gains in domestic terms. But it is a very risky visit otherwise,” he added, the Turkish Daily News reports.

<< | Home | >>

Translate

RSS © Panarmenian

Headlines for July 26, 2008

CYPRUS RE-UNION TALKS TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 3
Greek and Turkish Cypriots agreed on Friday to launch talks in September to re-unite their island, whose continuing division is damaging Turkey’s chances of joining the EU. Cyprus’ President Demetris ...
CSTO PLANNING RESPONSE TO U.S. MISSILE SHIELD IN CZECHIA AND POLAND
The member countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) intend to create a new military structure on their borders in response to the deployment of U.S. missile shield elements on the ...
HRANT DINK APPLIED TO POLICE FOR PERMISSION TO CARRY A GUN BUT WAS REJECTED
Hrant Dink, the prominent Turkish-Armenian journalist who was shot to death in 2007, had applied for permission to carry a gun after receiving threats. However, officials turned down his request, said ...
MEDIATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY WOULD BE A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL GAIN FOR IRAN
While Turkey has intensified its mediation efforts in the Middle East, Iran has volunteered to take on a similar challenge to break the ice between Ankara and Yerevan. “The possibility of such an initiative ...
EIGHTY-SIX PEOPLE ACCUSED OF LINKS WITH ERGENEKON TO STAND TRIAL IN TURKEY OCT. 20
Eighty-six people, accused of creating an armed terrorist group to overthrow the government, will go on trial on October 20. A Turkish court agreed on Friday to hear the controversial Ergenekon case, ...