FINAL REPORT On THE MEETING

During 11-12 February 2010 a round table meeting named “The Turkish-Armenian Relations Normalization Process” was organized in Ankara by the Center for Alternative Policies (CAP).

The following leaders of Armenian non-governmental organizations from Armenia and Georgia, as well as academics and NGO represantatives from Turkey participated in the meeting:

• Alexander ISKANDARYAN, Director of the Caucasus Institute (Armenia),
• Dr. David SHAHNAZARYAN, Head of the “Concord” Center for Political and Legal Issues (Armenia),
• Boris NAVASARDIAN, President of the Yerevan Press Club (Armenia),
• Arnold A. STEPANIAN, Chairman of the Public Movement “Multinational Georgia” (Armenia),
• Samvel AGHIKYAN, Georgian-Armenian businessman (Armenia),
• Associate Professor Ersel AYDINLI, Dean of Bilkent University Department of International Relations (Turkey),
• Professor Mustafa KOÇAK, Dean of Okan University Faculty of Law (Turkey),
• Professor Kenan AYDIN of Kocaeli University (Turkey),
• Kaan SOYAK Co-Chairman of Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council,
• Dr. Mahmut KOÇAK, President of CAP,
• Staff of the Center.

1. During the meeting, participants tried to point out common aspects of Turkish and Armenian societies. It was recognized that the two societies which shared much of their history, have not been able to personally settle their mutual relations during critical periods, and other powers have often tried to effect the wills of Turkish and Armenian societies to push forward their own interests in the region. While it was accepted that the other actors’ envolvement in the regional issues is inevitable, it was emphasized that Turkey and Armenia should be those primarily responsible for the future of their mutual relations.
2. During the meeting, it was also stated that putting forward any preconditions for the solution of problems between the two countries results in a paradoxal situation. It was stressed in the meeting by the Armenian side that discussions on the history should be separated from the dialogue on present-day political problems. Avoiding the discussion of secondary factors not connected directly with the current state of Armenian-Turkish relations, the participants accepted that the dialogue process should be focussed on the mutual interests of the two nations and the perspective of their development as modern, democratic and prosperous states. It was at the same time stated that it is impossible to forget certain historical events but the participants must put them aside for a while in order to focus currently on mutual prosperity rather than confine themselves only to the past.
3. During the meeting, both sides exchanged their ideas about the  Karabagh Conflict and it was recognized that all sides of the conflict share responsibility for the conflict. Armenian participants insisted that the complicated Karabagh issue, the solution of which might require quite a long time, should not be an obstacle for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. Turkish participants maintained that the solution of regional problems is necessary for the normalization and progress of Turkish-Armenian relations.
4. Despite different comments, the Armenian Supreme Court’s ruling on the protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey was described as a positive development by the majorty of the participants, since it permitted Armenia to enforce the protocols. It was agreed that the ruling of the RA Constitutional Court recognizing compliance of the protocols to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia is sufficient legal ground for the protocols ratification and implementation. In this context, it was emphasized that for the Armenian side the competence for enforcing the protocols in case of their ratification lies on the Armenian Government as the executive authority.
5. During the meeting economic issues of the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement were also touched upon. In this context, business opportunities in Armenia and the situation of illegal Armenian migrants in Turkey were discussed.Further, it was mentioned that Armenia should promote normal relations with Turkey to avoid isolation. Turkish participants emphasized the role played and territory belonging to Turkey in the region and mentioned that poverty is the greatest problem for the Caucasus. It was also emphasized by the Turkish participants that the best choice for the region’s countries is to participate in joint social and economic programs with Turkey which is a country that has an active role in the modern world.
6. The perspective of the two sides failing to ratify the protocols was pointed out to be the most critical issue for the rapprochement and normalization process. In connection with this, some participants said that, in case of failure, Turkish-Armenia relations could deteriorate to a level worse than before. In this context, the vital importance of carrying on the mission of NGOs and the expert community to ensure continued dialogue and provide ideas regarding its efficiency was emphasized.
7. Finally, during the meeting it was also agreed upon that dialogue between the two countries is the only way to overcome problems concerning the enforcement of the protocols. The responsibility shared by NGOs was also underlined and the meeting organized by the CAP was viewed as the first in a series of similar events to come.