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Ankara-Iravan rapprochement: Türkiye's steps that disappoint Azerbaijan

21 March 2025 18:07 (UTC +04:00)

In recent days, there has been a serious rapprochement in Turkish-Armenian relations. The logical result of this rapprochement was the opening of the “Margara” checkpoint on the Armenian-Turkish border today.

“Margara” checkpoint - the Turkish-Armenian border opened after 32 years

The Turkish-Armenian border, which has been closed for 32 years for unknown reasons, was opened today under the pretext of “transporting humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria”.

The Armenian government decided to open the checkpoint. The decision states that the “Margara” checkpoint will be opened from March 21 to 31 for the delivery of humanitarian aid from Armenia to Syria via Turkish territory.

“This decision will allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of the Republic of Armenia more quickly and at a lower cost,” the justification for the decision states.

Of course, Armenia did not make this decision unilaterally, and the Turkish side also has the consent of the Turkish side. This is also evidenced by the fact that Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanay thanked his Turkish colleagues for the opening of the “Margara” border crossing point.

Secret border talks from Azerbaijan

It is known that the border issue between Türkiye and Armenia has been discussed behind closed doors for a long time. However, it is very rare that Azerbaijan was not given any information about this. Another noteworthy point is that the Armenian side announces the news that the “Margara” border crossing point will be opened, while Turkish officials demonstrate a silence that raises questions on this issue.

It is also known that behind the secret discussions on the border issue between Türkiye and Armenia were circles in Türkiye that wanted to embrace Armenia, global imperialist forces, the Biden-Blinken Administration, the European Union, and the Armenian lobby. It is surprising that the Biden Administration is no longer in place, but the anti-national forces in Türkiye who want to implement this plan continue this process and, in a certain sense, achieve their desires.

Erdogan-Pashinyan meeting, Erdogan's book gift, Turkish journalists' visit to Armenia

The organization of the Erdogan-Pashinyan meeting, Erdogan's book gift to Pashinyan, the recent visit of Turkish journalists to Armenia, and their inspection of the Turkish-Armenian border can also be considered as part of this plan.

From this, we can conclude that these forces were able to convince the Turkish leadership to take such wrong steps. This disappoints the Azerbaijani people and arouses justified indignation.

Armenia's territorial claims, so-called "Armenian genocide", Mount Agrigadag on the coat of arms

At the same time, legitimate questions are arising on the Azerbaijani side and among the people: how quickly have Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands for 30 years, ethnic cleansing, tens of thousands of martyrs, hundreds of mine victims, destruction of cities and villages during the occupation, their destruction, desecration of mosques and other inhuman acts, atrocities, and crimes been forgotten?

There are other noteworthy moments in the Armenia-Türkiye rapprochement. It is known that the Armenian Constitution contains territorial claims against Türkiye in addition to Azerbaijan. In addition, the state coat of arms of Armenia features the image of Mount Agrigadag. At the same time, Armenia has not officially withdrawn its so-called "Armenian genocide" claim against Türkiye. In such a situation, how can we assess Ankara's hastily normalizing relations with Armenia and advancing it to the point of opening the border?

Azerbaijan's demands from Armenia, Türkiye's interests, Zangezur corridor

It should not be overlooked that today, with the demands it makes to Armenia, Azerbaijan is also protecting Türkiye's interests. By demanding that Iravan remove its territorial claim against Azerbaijan from its Constitution, Baku is also demanding that its territorial claim against Türkiye be eliminated. Ankara should not forget that the Armenian Constitution includes territorial claims against neighboring states, including Türkiye, and that Mount Agrigdağ is on its coat of arms.

Türkiye has always expressed support for Azerbaijan's demand to open the Zangezur corridor. Ankara emphasizes the importance of opening the Zangezur corridor at the highest level. Even Türkiye has so far assured Azerbaijan that the border with Armenia will not be opened until the Zangezur corridor is opened. Today, we see that this promise has also been forgotten. What happened that these promises were forgotten?

Türkiye does not provide the necessary support for the unification of the Turkic world

Another disappointing step by Ankara is related to the integration and unification of the Turkic world. Although there is verbal support from Türkiye for President Ilham Aliyev's steps towards the unification of the Turkic world, this is not felt in practice, and the necessary measures are not being taken to further strengthen the Organization of Turkic States, increase its influence in the world political arena, and take its rightful place. On the contrary, Türkiye has recently turned its face to Armenia and is looking for formulas for cooperation with Iravan. And this disappoints not only Azerbaijan, but also the entire Turkic world.

Türkiye cannot ignore the reaction of the Azerbaijani people to its rapprochement with Armenia and the opening of its borders. Azerbaijan, which has always adhered to the principle of "One Nation, Two States" in its relations with Türkiye, is naturally very disappointed and worried about the recent events, and Ankara should know this well. Ankara should also know that Armenia has never been a reliable partner, country, or neighbor. In order not to regret it later, it is necessary to make the right choice now