Fatih Cekirge: A signal for a new Nogorno-Karabakh map during Armenia visit

Fatih Cekirge, Hurriyet

After the history packed with murders, assassinations, attacks, hate, closed borders, invasions, and claims of genocide… This was the first time that a president of the Turkish Republic has paid a visit to Armenia. Since this was a historic visit, I allocate my entire column to this visit I paid together with President Abdullah Gul.

This was the atmosphere just after the match… The two presidents are having a conversation, and we are listening to them. Jokes are being made. The Armenians had prepared a very nice open buffet. There was no sign of victory or defeat on their faces. Gul turns to Sargsyan and says:

-I will visit Azerbaijan after my visit here. I hope positive developments will emerge…

Sargsyan replies:

- Of course… We are ready.

This is very important because Sargsyan clearly states, “We want the borders open with Turkey. We want a solution to problems.”

What I understand from these remarks are:

1- A new period can start between Azerbaijan and Armenia after this visit. The foreign ministers have already met but this period will mostly be a solution period… Turkey will take on the mediator role. Gul’s saying that he would visit the Armenian president shows that such an attempt is being undertaken by both presidents.

2- The technical issues were not debated during this visit, but a new map for Nagorno-Karabakh can be brought to the table in the future…Gul’s visit to Baku is a sign of this.

3- I had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with the Armenian president. I noticed that he was really sincere and desires a solution. He has a positive disposition.

4- We realized while in the country that Gul’s visit to Yerevan was the best possible decision. With good risk management, new doors for the Caucasus can be opened as a result of this visit.

NO WORDS ABOUT SO-CALLED GENOCIDE

The atmosphere of elation on the plane on the way to home after Turkey beat Armenia 2-0 was greater than the jubilance of victory in the match. That is because the approximately 12-hour long visit transformed tension into success. And this was clearly written all over Gul’s face.

It was worth to taking the risk…

Here are some of important remarks Gul made on the return journey from Yeravan to Ankara:

-They never mentioned the so-called genocide issue. Leaving that aside, they did not even imply it or mention it indirectly. They might have even hinted at it, but they did not.

- We saw that they were as unbiased as us…

-An atmosphere has been created which would allow all the issues to be undertaken one by one

-They spoke very comprehensively of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

-The Azeri and Armenian presidents can come together in the future. I will pay a visit to Azerbaijan in the coming days.

-The visit was certainly risky. We could have announced it one week earlier, but certain preparations had to be made for security reasons.

- What would happen had we not paid this visit? There would be no result. The price we pay would continue to grow had no action been taken.

- In fact, the invitation to the match sent the ball into our field. This visit we sent the ball back into their field.

 Source: www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/home/9845882.asp?gid=244&sz=8325

 

 

Posted by admin September 2008

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