“Armenia has stated its will to normalize relations with Turkey, establish diplomatic affairs, and open borders. After the appointment of special representatives between two countries, it seems that Armenia is particularly interested in intensifying the dialogue. Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, stated in the parliament that Turkish government did not set preconditions for the normalization of relations. At the first meeting held in Moscow, the parties made discussions about goals and expectations. Ankara declared that the goal here is the complete normalization. Armenians are also very pleased with regard to this statement. What steps can be taken in the process leading to the complete normalization, other than the appointment of special representatives? The special representatives are working on it, and the next steps will be discussed in the next meetings to build mutual trust,” Azerbaijani MP Konul Nurullayeva told AZERTAC.

“At the next stage, Armenian officials will visit Turkey. At the invitation of the Turkish side, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Special Representative Rubin Rubinyan are expected to attend the diplomatic forum, to be held in Antalya. In fact, Pashinyan also called the improvement in the dynamics of the dialogue as an opportunity for his country. Indeed, Armenia needs the normalization of relations with Turkey, not only with Azerbaijan. It is true that for Turkey, this opening is important for the regional integration. The opening of a wider geography through Armenia, of course, means new opportunities and a stronger influence in the region. For Armenia, the only opportunity is to restore relations with both Azerbaijan and Turkey. In other words, while this normalization is an additional gain for Azerbaijan and Turkey, it is the only way out for Armenia. Because for Armenia, which has isolated itself due to its occupation policy pursued for 30 years, now has a new way out. According to the Turkish side, reciprocal flights will begin in February. It is particularly significant for the collapsed economy of Armenia.

However, there are still radical groups in Armenia raising the issue of genocide and decisively criticizing the normalization. The Armenian lobby is also against the normalization. Nevertheless, in the current situation, the lobby is not able to exert effective pressure on the government decisions in Armenia. The United States of America and the European Union have also expressed their interest in the normalization of the Ankara-Yerevan relations. It is true that the West is approaching this normalization in the hope of reducing the dependence of Armenia on Russia. Nonetheless, given that the first meeting was held in Moscow, it does not seem plausible that Armenia will get rid of the image of the outpost, even if it restores the relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Thus, this is one of the new realities created by Azerbaijan by liberating its territories from occupation. Today, the whole world evaluate the process of normalization in the South Caucasus as a result of Azerbaijan’s great victory. If Azerbaijan had not liberated its territories from occupation, it would not have been possible to talk about the normalization with Ankara. In the next stages, Baku will further strengthen its position as the main driving force of new realities in the region,” MP Nurullayeva said.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency