PanArmenian published EuFoA commentary on Turkey-Armenia rapprochement

In an article published in Panarmenian.net, EuFoA team commented on the Turkey-Armenia rapprochement stressing that if the normalisation process is successful, all the region will benefit from it.

Below we provide you with the two articles quoting EuFoA Secretary General, Dr Michael Kambeck.

Turkey is now at the crossroads

(Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=43114)

If Turkey wants to be seen as a credible international player, one whose signature has a value, it will need to open the border this year and ratify the protocols in the coming two months, Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) said.

“Armenia, as a constructive player, has ensured the preparation of a speedy ratification. This was the right thing to do and has won Armenia a lot of support. Armenia has the moral high ground now, the ball is in the Turkish court. The EU is already very frustrated with Turkey over signed agreements, which are never ratified or implemented, especially regarding Cyprus. Turkey is now at the crossroads: does it want to become a mature, credible and modern international player or does it want to have its foreign policy defined by its more extreme nationalists and Azerbaijan? It is this internal fight that causes the contradictory signals from Turkey,” Dr. Michael Kambeck said.

“As for the third parties, let’s not forget about the unique consensus among the EU, the US and Russia to push for an unconditional and timely ratification of the protocols. I am happy that the EU, not least following the recent open letter by the EAAC, is now supporting this even stronger and more visible.” he said.

Michael Kambeck: Turkey and Armenia facing historic turning point

(Source: http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=43112)

After nearly a century confrontation, relations between Turkey and Armenia are currently facing a historic turning point that will deeply affect the future diplomatic and strategic
balances of the South Caucasus, according to Secretary General of European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA), Dr. Michael Kambeck.
“If the process is successful, all who have an interest in stability and progress will profit. All, that is above all Armenia and Turkey, but also Russia, the US and the EU, and even Georgia and Azerbaijan,” Mr. Kambeck told a Pan.ARMENIAN.NET reporter. “The risk of losing the window of opportunity that will not remain open for long, is high. If it failed now, the whole process would need to wait for another generation of leaders in both countries, and even then it is likely that they would still consider it as a political hot potato.

Finally, the future of Armenian-Turkish relations is about the two societies and as James Freeman Clarke put it “A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.” Armenia is firm in pushing for the opening of borders and societies, and the region needs more statesmen. That is why our Europe-Armenia Advisory Council (EAAC) called upon ALL parties, including Azerbaijan, to contribute positively to the ongoing process,” he said.