Recently, there has been a significant rapprochement in Turkey-Armenia relations. The logical outcome of this rapprochement was the opening of the “Margara” border checkpoint on the Turkey-Armenia border.
The “Margara” checkpoint – the Turkey-Armenia border has been opened after 32 years.
Due to known reasons, the Turkey-Armenia border, which had been closed for 32 years, was opened today under the pretext of “sending humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria”, Azerbaijani pro-government media APA reports.
The Armenian government made the decision to open the checkpoint. The decision states that the “Margara” checkpoint will be open from March 21 to 31 for sending humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria via Turkey.
Naturally, Armenia did not make this decision unilaterally, as Turkey’s consent was also required. The fact that Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vaan Kostanyan thanked Turkish counterparts for the opening of the “Margara” checkpoint indicates this.
Secret border negotiations from Azerbaijan
It is known that the issue of the border between Turkey and Armenia had been discussed behind closed doors for a long time. However, it is very surprising that Azerbaijan was not informed about this matter. Another noteworthy point is that Armenia announced the opening of the “Margara” border checkpoint, while Turkish officials remained silent on the issue, raising questions.
It is also known that behind the secret discussions regarding the Turkey-Armenia border issue are circles in Turkey that want to embrace Armenia, global imperialist forces, the Biden-Blinken Administration, the EU, and the Armenian lobby. It is surprising that, although the Biden Administration no longer exists, anti-national forces in Turkey continue to implement this plan and are achieving some of their goals.
Erdogan-Pashinyan meeting, Erdogan’s book gift, Turkish journalists’ visit to Armenia
The organization of the Erdogan-Pashinyan meeting, Erdogan’s gift of a book to Pashinyan, the visit of Turkish journalists to Armenia, and their inspection of the Turkey-Armenia border can also be viewed as part of this plan.
From this, it can be concluded that these forces have been able to convince Turkey’s leadership to take such wrong steps. This naturally disappoints the Azerbaijani people and causes rightful anger.
Armenia’s territorial and “Armenian genocide” claims, Ağrı Dağı on the coat of arms
At the same time, questions arise in Azerbaijan’s society: how quickly did Armenia’s 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani lands, ethnic cleansing, tens of thousands of martyrs, hundreds of mine victims, the destruction of cities and villages, the desecration of mosques, and other inhumane acts, barbarities, and crimes fade from memory?
There are other points of concern in the rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey. It is known that Armenia’s Constitution contains territorial claims not only against Azerbaijan but also against Turkey. Moreover, the image of Mount Ağrı is featured on Armenia’s state coat of arms. Additionally, Armenia has not officially withdrawn from its claim of the “Armenian genocide” against Turkey. Given this, how can Ankara’s rush to normalize relations with Armenia and open the border be evaluated?
Azerbaijan’s demands from Armenia, Turkey’s interests, and the Zangezur corridor
It must be noted that Azerbaijan’s demands from Armenia also safeguard Turkey’s interests. By demanding the removal of territorial claims against Azerbaijan from Armenia’s Constitution, Baku is also requesting the elimination of territorial claims against Turkey. Ankara should not forget Armenia’s territorial claims against neighboring states, including Turkey, and the depiction of Mount Ağrı on its coat of arms.
Turkey has always expressed support for Azerbaijan’s demand to open the Zangezur corridor. The importance of opening the Zangezur corridor has been emphasized at the highest levels in Ankara. Turkey had even previously assured Azerbaijan that the border with Armenia would not be opened until the Zangezur corridor was opened. However, today we see that this promise has also been forgotten. What happened that these promises have been overlooked?
Turkey’s lack of support for the unification of the Turkic world
Another disappointing step by Ankara concerns the integration and unification of the Turkic world. While Turkey has verbally supported President Ilham Aliyev’s steps toward uniting the Turkic world, in practice, this support is not felt. No necessary steps are being taken to strengthen the Turkic States Organization, increase its influence on the world political stage, and secure its rightful place. On the contrary, Turkey has recently turned its face towards Armenia, searching for formulas for cooperation with Yerevan. This, in turn, disappoints not only Azerbaijan but the entire Turkic world.
The reaction of the Azerbaijani people to Turkey’s rapprochement with Armenia and the opening of the border cannot be ignored. Azerbaijan, which has always adhered to the principle of “One nation, two states,” is naturally very disappointed and worried about the recent developments, and Ankara should be well aware of this. Ankara should also understand that Armenia has never been a reliable partner, country, or neighbor. To avoid regret later, it is necessary to make the right choice now.
