Armenians who are known as “Millet-i Sadıka (Loyal Nation)” lived a peaceful and comfortable life with Turks for long years in the Ottoman Empire. Due to nationalism movements of 1789 French Revolution, as expected Armenians also were affected from this nationalist wind. During the World War I, Armenians tried to found an independent state and they were backed by Great Powers of that time. Armenian nationalist movements were supported by especially Russia and they felt themselves in safe under the protective Russian umbrella. Armed organizations and propaganda bodies were also established for the independence of Armenia. Ottoman Empire was aware of that political formation and decided to take necessary precautions to obtain the security of its citizens during the war. For this reason Armenian population was deported to Syria -that place was also in the Ottoman Empire- as a natural outcome of war conditions. There is no controversy on that fact hundreds of thousands Armenians died due to hunger, cold war and epidemics during the migration. But “deportation” can’t be called as “genocide”. This “migration” event is the primary source of conflict and starting point of so-called “Armenian Genocide” of 1915. According to claims of Armenian historians, because of so many deaths, this was cannot be accepted as migration, this was a planned genocide.

When we come back to historical background of the conflict, we see that there is no a consensus on the “number of deaths” during the migration, between Armenian and Turkish historians also between the decision makers of the both countries. Armenian historians claim that, 1.5 million Armenian lost their lives[i]. But their Turk colleagues find this claim exaggerated. Turkish historians also accept the Armenian loses but Armenians claims are far away from reality.  According to Turkish side’s thesis, this migration was a result and necessity of war conditions and this migration was not against the rules of (new-born) international law and Law of War at that time. If we analyze the conflict in the strands of 20th century’s law understanding, it must be accepted as an internal matter of a country. Moreover, if the real aim of the migration was “genocide”, they would behave directly like Hitler.

After the War of Independence, Turco-Armenian relations and borders were shaped with Gümrü Agreement (December 2, 1921) and Moscow Agreement (March 16, 1921). Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic was founded in 1920 and two years later, she lost her independence and accepted Soviet rule. Relations and problems between Turkey and Armenia were frozen nearly for seventy years. But ASALA (Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia) organized terrorist attacks against Turk diplomats in 1970s.[ii]

After the collapse of Soviet Union, Armenia declared its independence in 1991 and became a member of international system. Their newly existence as an independent state in history scene (with this self-confidence), they invaded Nagorno-Karabakh and started to follow an active foreign policy. Their being at war with Azerbaijan strengthened “solidarity” and “nation conscious” among Armenian people. So called Armenian Genocide is being expressing by many Armenian organizations not only in Armenia but also at world scale for strengthening Armenian nationalism. What are the reasons that drive Armenia to defend and insist on so called Armenian Genocide?

 1.This “genocide event” could be used as cement for Armenian nationalism and solidarity among Armenian citizens. This is a chance to collect Armenians all around the world for the idea of “Powerful Armenia”.

 2.To gain support and sympathy of international community as in the case of Jews.

3.So called Armenian Genocide could be used as a “bargaining issue” for the normalization of relations with Turkey.

4.Compensation and territory claims. (Although territory demand is not voiced by Armenian decision makers recently, article 11th of the Independence Declaration doesn’t mean the same things.)  [iii]

For a long time, Turkey couldn’t express itself and its being just and convinced international community about the realities of so called Armenian Genocide. . But today Turkey is really eager to find a solution to this so called Armenian Genocide. For example: Ottoman and other archives (approximately one million) are open to foreign researchers,  establishment of the Vienna Armenian-Turkish Historian Platform (VAT), offer for the establishment of an international commission under the control of United Nations, request for opening of Armenian documents to foreign researches, these efforts are clear evidences of that Turkey is really eager to solve this problem. Turkish PM Erdoğan often called historians of two sides for an impartial research but this offer was not taken seriously by Armenian PM Andranik Markaryan.

As I mentioned above, these are the expression of vicious circle and a barrier in front of a road that goes to solution. These two neighbor countries could normalize their relations and maximize their interests. All these are possible, as long as Armenia really wants to solve problems and is eager to take the first step. Armenia is a country with geographical disadvantages, insufficient mines, and it’s Azerbaijan and Turkey borders are closed due to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia has border with Iran, Georgia, Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan and situates in Southern Caucasia. Turkey-Armenia border is closed because of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict,[iv] so called Armenian Genocide and border problem. All in all, Armenia continues its relations with the rest of the world via Russia, Georgia, and Iran.

Today Armenia is a weak country as a present of its geographical situation and other poor conditions. Armenia is seen as unjust in the eye of international community on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict[v] and his economic condition is troublesome because of serious trade deficit. But Armenia can tackle these difficulties if she normalizes relations with her neighbors like Turkey and Azerbaijan. Armenia has advocated so called Armenian Genocide for a long time but won nothing except enmity of Turks, so regional isolationism continued to weaken Armenia. If Armenia leaves its “genocide” and “other policies” built on enmity, this country will gain much more if the long term interests are taken into consideration.

What is the importance of normalization of relations with Turkey for Armenia?

 1-Turkey is an indispensable market and trade partner for Armenia with its nearly 70 million population. Turkey has close relations with Muslim countries and Newly Independent States of Central Asia. Its EU membership, good relations with the USA and geopolitical privilege make Turkey vital to increase movement ability of Armenia. Opening of border will also improve socio-cultural life, trade and tourism.

2-Turkey will start to negotiations with the EU on December 3, 2005. As it seems to take long time to join the union, she will surely become an EU member. There is no doubt; the warm effect of the EU will be also effective on Armenia. Today, even Iranian officials welcome Turkey’s EU membership efforts, in this way Iran will be neighbor to the European Union. Moreover, EU’s current European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) also wants Armenia to improve relations with its EU members (also Turkey).

3-Improvement of the bilateral relations between two countries will also helpful to solve Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey will be a good mediator in Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute and this will accelerate dialog and agreement process that goes to peace. Because, absence of communication and relation strengthens the “status qou.”

4-Metsamor Nuclear plant, which was established by USSR in 1970s, is a serious problem and source of danger for not only Armenia but also neighbor countries, especially for Turkey. Turkey and the EU are like minded and think same things for this old and damaged nuclear plant. Both of them want Armenia to dismantle this nuclear plant. But Armenia doesn’t welcome this offer, because it means “energy crisis” for Armenia in the future. In this phase, Turkey will play important role as an electric supplier. Dismantle of Metsamor nuclear plant will also clear the barriers that will be a problem with Armenia and Turkey (a country that walks on the EU path).

To sum up, normalization of relations with Turkey, abandonment of so called Armenian Genocide, solution in Nagarno-Karabakh conflict, will serve to long-term Armenian interests. In this way, Armenia will improve its relations with Turkey and provide its integration with the world. We could talk about the possibility of Turkey’s neglect of Armenia but it’s sure, Armenia hasn’t luxury of neglecting Turkey.

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[i] www.tallarmeniantale.com/mccarthy-resolution.htm

[ii] http://www.ermenisorunu.gen.tr/turkce/teror/index.html

[iii] http://www.armeniaforeignministry.com/htms/doi.html

[iv] Mehmet Durmuş, Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, “TEXT Journal of International Studies, Volume III, Spring 2004, Number:1, ss.29-43.

[v] S/RES/822, S/RES/853, S/RES/874, S/RES/884, (www.un.org)