Russian Political Scientist Comments on Attempts to Normalize Relations Between Armenia and Turkey

The tension between Armenia and Turkey should not be removed at all costs, nor at the expense of even greater tension. I fully trust the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the arrangement of this process in favor of our ally. This was stated by Russian political scientist Nikolai Silayev in an interview with a NEWS.am correspondent while commenting on efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey.

In his opinion, the border must eventually be opened. “This is important for transportation communications, including ours. It is clear that the prospect of normalizing relations with Turkey is associated with very strong emotions within Armenian society. I believe that the current process lacks publicity. There is an opportunity to talk more openly here. Overall, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations will not diminish the significance of Armenian-Russian relations; rather, it will enhance it.

Turkey is an important trade partner for the countries of the South Caucasus. But Russia, among other things, is also a recipient of exports. The production in the countries of the South Caucasus is largely oriented towards the Russian market. The prospects for the revival of Armenian industry are directly related to the Russian market, as there still remain connections and a certain base. However, Turkey is unlikely to serve as a market for the industrial products of these countries; Turkey is not likely to create the volume of government orders that Russia currently creates or can create. Turkey is also unlikely to be as promising a market in IT. Russia was afraid of such competition in the 1990s, but not now.

Regarding the competition of Turkish goods in the Armenian market, this is a question of customs regulation, not open borders,” the expert noted.