“Turkey seeks reconciliation with Russia”

Gevorg Petrosyan, Expert on Turkish Studies

Turkey, which bears primary responsibility for the tension, was expected to be the first to seek to settle disagreements – and it has been doing so for several months, expert in Turkic studies Gevorg Petrosyan told Tert.am as he commented on the latest developments in Russia-Turkey relations.

“I think it is a convenient moment for Turkey – as the downing of the Russian warplane can be put down to Ahmet Davutoğlu, who quit politics – to try maneuvering. Turkey’ authorities also consider the economic situation in the country in their steps to reconciliation with Russia. Turkey has economic problems, accompanied with disagreements with one of its major economic partners, Russia, which causes damage to Turkey’s budget. Since last November, the situation has changed in Syria, which is a most important factor that played a major role in the incident [with the Russian warplane],” Mr Petrosyan said.

Asked if the reason for Turkey seeking reconciliation with Russia is its concern over the west “shutting the door” to Turkey, the expert said:

“This is a most difficult and is not normally an immediate process. However, Erdogan-led Turkey, with a number of problems, tried to implement a more flexible foreign policy, working with the Middle East, the West, Russia and others.”

In Russian-Turkish relations have seen long periods of rivalry and even hostility.

“On the other hand, both the nations’ economic interests have in recent period been dominant, which has created a picture of good terms despite their disagreements over Syria, Black Sea basin and in the South Caucasus,” Mr Petrosyan said.

Official Ankara has now decided in favor of reconciliation with Russia, making its initial public steps. And Russia will respond favorably if Turkey continues.

“The economic factor in Russian-Turkish relations plays a tremendous role in reconciliation. Of course, it requires time and political will. But Turkey has launched this process, while Russia’s earlier statements hinted it was ready for contacts if Ankara continued its steps. Of importance is turkey’s response to Russia’s main demand – an official apology for downing the Russian warplane and restitution,” the expert said.

Developments in Russia-Turkey relations have their impact on Armenia in all respects.

“It is natural, given our relations with and policy to the two nations. I have repeatedly said that our national interests have always been affected by both improved and worsened Russian-Turkish relations. Of course, the latest tensions in Turkey-Russia relations afforded opportunities to us in terms of both export and tourism. And if we succeeding in using them, this situation is better in this respect. Nevertheless, politically, we have no major achievements due to the situation yet.”