Turkey and Armenia stand to benefit from reconciling

Sometimes the unthinkable happens.

At least, that’s what most people are saying after hearing about Turkey and Armenia’s recent decision to open ties and resume cooperation with each other. The announcement was made last week when leaders of both nations introduced a plan to reinstate diplomatic relations and create bilateral ties.

Although the plan will have to pass both nations’ legislative houses, it is still hailed as a major diplomatic breakthrough by most in the international community. If the plan is passed, the nations will open their borders for each other for the first time in 15 years and will formally engage in cooperative diplomatic dialogue for the first time in decades.

The two nations have been so-called enemies since 1915, when over 1.5 million Armenians were killed under the supervision of the Turkish government at the time — at least, according to Armenia. Turkey insists that the killings were not a genocide and that the government did not officially sanction them. The correct labeling of the events of 1915, along with Turkey’s refusal to assume responsibility for its actions, has been a sore and emotional point of conflict for both sides.

This issue still brings passionate debate on both sides, as seen recently by the US Congress’ debate last year on whether to pass a resolution officially labeling the events of 1915 as genocide.

Along with the questions regarding the Armenian genocide, other points of conflict have arisen, including the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, a province in neighboring Azerbaijan which Armenia supports in its breakaway from the state — something Turkey opposes. The province consists of mostly ethnic Armenians and thus would be claimed by Armenia.

The recent negotiations began last September when Turkish President Abdullah Gul accepted an invitation by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to attend a soccer game in Armenia. The event itself was groundbreaking and set into motion the potential for dialogue.

Both nations have a lot to gain in these negotiations and both are actively participating. They can finally try to settle the question of Nagorno-Karabakh, thereby ending an uneasy stalemate. Furthermore, the warmer relationship could even start talks to create joint resolution regarding the Armenian genocide.

Although both goals are somewhat long-term, each nation is looking to gain short-term advantages in the Caucasus region as well as in the international community. By settling its issues with Turkey, its most powerful neighbor, Armenia can free itself up to more trade in the region. It can also try to profit from the region’s abundance of natural energy sources and begin building an infrastructure to export resources leading to economic development.

Turkey has even more to gain in these negotiations. By actively participating and engaging in peace talks, Turkey proves itself as a regional power. By taking active steps to solve regional crises, it asserts itself in the international community as a progressive nation looking to solve problems rather than create them. Turkey is still looking to become a member of the European Union, and settling its long-standing differences with Armenia may help its case.

The fact that two such hated rivals as Turkey and Armenia can solve their differences gives hope to other Black Sea nations, such as Russia and Georgia, to solve their international conflicts.

Finally, Turkey’s actions will give the nation a lot more diplomatic leverage and trust in the international community as a peace mediator and ally when it comes to solving international issues. The nation can even use its influence to help mediate the many violent conflicts in the Middle East — an action which could not only prove Turkey as a major power in the region, but also as one that could encourage Western nations to engage Turkey in solving the Middle East’s issues. Turkey has the potential to become an indispensable partner in the effort to bring peace to the Middle East, and in doing so is bound to be rewarded in greater trade and investment, helping its economic situation as well.

The benefits of this potential peace agreement are great for both sides, but the question remains whether the legislation will pass both nations’ parliaments. As of now, there will be a lot of negotiation that will have to be done in order to convince skeptics on both sides.

Hopefully, peace will prevail.

Angad Singh is a sophomore majoring in international relations.