Epress.am News from Armenia
“Establishment of durable peace and stability in our region is one of Armenia’s key objectives,” said Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, during a recent speech at the Republic of Cyprus House of Representatives.
However, he added, our persistent efforts in this direction came to a stalemate.
“The process initiated by our sincere offer to normalize relations with Turkey, albeit through small steps, quickly came to a halt. Turkey destroyed it with its inconsistent posture, contradictory statements, and baseless manipulation of the process. Turkey stepped back from its commitments and not only failed to ratify the signed protocols, but also returned to its pre-normalization position. Our efforts and the efforts of our colleagues actively engaged in the process faced the wall of preconditions,” he said, referring to the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, a key stage of which was the signing of the protocols by the foreign ministers of Armenia and Turkey in Zurich in Oct. 2009. Both countries’ governments were to have ratified the protocols; however, this has not happened.
According to Sargysan, if preconditions were to be set at all, it is Armenia, and not Turkey, that has “considerably more moral and legal grounds” for doing so.
“We did, however, find the strength to overcome all psychological obstacles and to move forward. We do have many problems with Turkey, including, first and foremost, the problem related to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. However, instead of setting preconditions, we opted for a dialogue as a civilized way for resolving problems,” said the Armenian leader, who then advised his audience to open their eyes.
“We must face the truth. Turkey today aspires to become a regional leader by conducting a so-called ‘New Ottomanism’ policy. However, regional leadership implies a responsible approach and a responsible way of thinking, rather than practices of coercion or dictate. What did the Ottoman Empire bring to the peoples under its yoke other than massacres, oppression, and tyranny? Does anyone miss Ottomanism, providing a reason to deliver a ‘New Ottomanism’?
“And what does the ‘zero problems with neighbours’ policy mean? Does it mean that all neighbours should obediently do what Turkey wants them to do and satisfy Turkey’s preconditions? There are probably neighbours for whom it is quite beneficial, but we are certainly not among them.
The country which since Armenia’s independence has upon different pretexts closed the border and is trying to blackmail my people may not aspire for regional leadership,” he said.