(OLAYLAR VE YORUMLAR)

Bu incelemede Ermenistan’ın iç ve dış dinamiklerinde ve Türkiye-Ermenistan ilişkilerinde Temmuz-Aralık 2021 ayları arasındaki gelişmeler ele alınmaktadır. Karabağ’da 44 gün savaşının ve 9 Kasım Moskova Ateşkes Anlaşması ile tescil edilen ağır yenilginin ardından çalkantılı bir dönem geçiren Ermenistan, 20 Haziran erken seçimleri ve bu seçimlerden, birçok çevrenin tahminlerini ve beklentilerini hüsrana uğratan bir sonuçla, Başbakan Nikol Paşinyan’ın zaferle çıkması sonrası göreceli bir istikrara kavuşmuştur. Ancak, Ermenistan Parlamentosunda temsil olanağı bulan, eski yönetimlerin ileri gelen ve radikal unsurlarından oluşan küçük fakat sesini duyuran muhalefet ve militan yandaşları Paşinyan’ın hareket serbestisini kısıtlayan bir güç olmuştur. Paşinyan’ın seçim başarısında, bir yandan Rusya, diğer yandan AB ve ABD ile kıvrak ve hassas bir denge kurabilmesi belirleyici etki yapmıştır. Yeni kabinesini kuran ve Parlamentoda iddialı hükümet programını açıklayan Paşinyan’ı bekleyen zor görev, vadettiklerini yerine getirmesi ve vizyonunu uygulamaya geçirebilmesidir. Paşinyan usta ve popülist bir politikacı olduğunu kanıtlamıştır. Şimdi gereken devlet adamlığıdır. Bunun yolu da, refah ve istikrarı gerçekleştirebilmek için, sinsice saati geriye döndürme çabasından vazgeçip, aldığı teşvik ve cesaretlendirmeleri bir kenara bırakıp, Karabağ gerçeğinin kabulünü halkına anlatabilmesinden geçmektedir. Ancak, değişen koşulları ve gerçekleri kabul etmek ve kalıcı bir barışı gerçekleştirmeye çalışmak yerine, Ermenistan’ın bir oyalama ve erteleme politikasına yöneldiği, halen Rus barış gücü askerlerinin koruması altında olan Karabağ’ın henüz Azerbaycan’a iade edilmemiş kesiminde işgalini sürdürebilme ham hayalinden vazgeçemediği görülmektedir. Ermenistan yönetiminin en üst mevkiinde bulunan Cumhurbaşkanının, Rus askerlerinin kalışının devamlı olması beyanı resmi kayıtlara geçmiştir. Böyle bir talep ve politika Batı’yı olduğu kadar Rusya’yı da zora sokmaktadır. Ermenistan’ın kendisini “barbar komşuları” karşısında kurbanlık kuzu göstererek mazlumu oynama taktiği etkisini yitirmekte, gerçekte kuzu postunda tilki olduğu görülmeye başlanmaktadır. Bölgenin değişen koşulları bölgesel işbirliği ve istikrarın gerçekleşmesi yolunda, uzak görülü devlet adamları için, bugüne kadar görülmemiş olanaklar yaratmıştır. Türkiye ile ilişkilerin normalleşmesi yönündeki yaklaşımları Ermenistan bakımından bu yöndeki en somut göstergeyi oluşturacaktır. Ne yazık ki, incelenen dönemdeki ilk göstergeler, Ermenilerin yüzyıllar boyunca uygulaya geldikleri yükselen güçlere biat etme geleneğini, önemsenmek ve ödüllendirilmek üzere, Türkler ile ihtilafta bulunan taraflara hizmet sunma çizgisini izlemekte olduğu izlenimini vermektedir.

FACTS AND COMMENTS

This article covers Turkey-Armenia relations as well as domestic and international developments of Armenia in the period of July-December 2021. The tumultuous days in the aftermath of the 44-day Karabagh war and the bitter defeat acknowledged with the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement on 9 November in Moscow left its place initially to relative calm and stability following the snap elections held on 20 June, resulting with the landslide victory of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to the chagrin and against the forecast of several circles. On the other hand, a relatively small but vociferous opposition in the Armenian Parliament composed of prominent and radical elements of the past administrations together with their militant supporters has given Pashinyan reason to be more circumspect. A determining factor in Pashinyan’s success has been his deft handling of relations with Russia, the EU, the US and maintaining a fragile balance. Having named his new cabinet and proclaimed his government’s ambitious program, the daunting fact before him is to put into practice his promises and vision. Pashinyan has proven to be a seasoned and populist politician. What is now required is to be a statesman. That prompts leading his people to understand that the way to prosperity and stability does not entail trying furtively to turn the clock back but rather accepting the reality in Karabagh despite the incitement and encouragement he receives otherwise. However, instead of accepting the realities and working for a lasting peace, it seems that Armenia has been opting for a policy of procrastination with the pipe dream of receiving assistance to continue occupying Azerbaijani territory that is temporarily guarded by the Russian peacekeeping forces. In fact, the President of Armenia is on record declaring for the permanent stay of Russian troops there. Such a policy puts both Russia and the West at odds. Armenia’s posturing to be the victim and depicting itself as the sacrificial lamb in the hands of “barbaric neighbors” does not resonate, as it is seen more of a fox in sheep’s skin. The changed conditions in the region bodes unprecedented opportunities for regional cooperation and stability for far sighted statesperson to grasp. Approaches to normalizing relations with Turkey would be a concrete indicator on part of Armenia to that end. Unfortunately, the initial indications in the period under review of Armenia’s policy towards Turkey appears to be following centuries long practiced traditional pattern of submitting allegiance to rising powers and expecting moral and material rewards for availing itself to the service of those in adversity to Turkey.

___

  • “‘Not with Russia’ - Georgian Foreign Ministry against Turkey’s idea of creating 3+3 regional format.” Jam News, October 9, 2021, https://jamnews.net/not-with-russia-georgian-foreign-ministry-against-turkeys-idea-of -%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bcreating-a-33-regional-format/.
  • “Armenia Asks Russia To Mediate In Normalization With Turkey.” Azatutyun, November 22, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31573666.html.
  • “Armenia at Last Appoints New Foreign Minister.” Eurasianet, August 19, 2021, https://eurasianet.org/armenia-at-last-appoints-new-foreign-minister.
  • “Armenian FM Slams Azerbaijan on Moscow Trip.” Azatutyun, August 31, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31436929.html.
  • “Armenian FM to visit Paris, France.” ArmenPress, November 9, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1067712.html.
  • “Armenian Foreign Minister Explains Resignation.” Azatutyun, May 31, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31282523.html.
  • “Armenian General Arrested In Corruption Probe.” Azatutyun, October 4, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31492556.html.
  • “Armenian Government Unveils Five-Year Action Plan.” Mirror Spectator, August 20, 2021, https://mirrorspectator.com/2021/08/20/armeniangovernment-unveils-five-year-action-plan/.
  • “Armenian PM accuses Azeri forces of breaching border, sacks Defence Minister.” Reuters, November 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/armenian-pm-accuses-azeritroops-violating-border-sacks-defence-minister-2021-11-15/.
  • “Armenian PM highly assesses activities of Russian peacekeepers in Karabagh.” TASS, November 7, 2021, https://tass.com/world/1358437.
  • “Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan Visits Georgia.” Georgian Journal, September 9, 2021, https://georgianjournal.ge/politics/37343-armenian-pm-nikolpashinyan-visits-georgia.html.
  • “Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs agree to meet under auspices of OSCE MG Co-Chairs to discuss humanitarian issues.” ArmenPress, October 6, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1064922/eng/.
  • “At this stage, Moscow considers it necessary to strictly adhere to all provisions of trilateral agreements: Zakharova.” 1 News, September 9, 2021, https://www.1lurer.am/en/2021/09/09/At-this-stage-Moscow-considers-itnecessary-to-strictly-adhere-to-all-provisions-of-trilateral-agre/553216.
  • “Catholicos Karekin II, Russia’s Patriarch Kirill, Azerbaijan-based Chairman of CMO Allahshukur Pashazadeh meet in Moscow.” ArmenPress, October 13, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1065481.html.
  • “Erdoğan: Georgian Prime Minister told me Pashinyan asked for dialogue.” OC Media, September 20, 2021, https://oc-media.org/erdogan-georgianprime-minister-told-me-pashinyan-asked-for-dialogue/.
  • “Foreign Minister of Slovakia to pay official visit to Armenia.” ArmenPress, September 13, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1062951.html.
  • “High Representative of the EU Josep Borrell sent a congratulatory message to Ararat Mirzoyan.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, August 28, 2021, https://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/2021/08/28/ congratulatory_letter_Borrell/11044+&cd=4&hl=tr&ct=clnk&gl=tr
  • “Holy See Press Office Communiqué: Audience with the President of the Republic of Armenia, 11.10.2021.” Holy See Press Office, October 11, 2021, https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2021/10/ 11/211011d.html.
  • “Macron Wants To Deepen France’s ‘Special’ Ties With Armenia.” Azatutyun, September 21, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31471209.html.
  • “Moscow supports the intensification of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ efforts on Karabagh settlement.” ArmenPress, September 2, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1062247/.
  • “New Armenian, Iranian FMs Talk In First Phone Call.” Azatutyun, September 3, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31442671.html
  • “New NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia pays his first visit to the South Caucasus.” North Atlantic Treaty Organization, October 21, 2021, https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_188208.htm.
  • “Nikol Pashinyan holds meeting with Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.” Official Website of the Prime Minister of Armenia, November 18, 2021, https://www.primeminister.am/en/press-release/item/2021/11/18/NikolPashinyan-Prime-Minister-of-Kyrgyzstan/+&cd=9&hl=tr&ct=clnk&gl=tr
  • “Pashinian Encouraged By Erdogan’s Statements.” Azatutyun, September 8, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31450016.html.
  • “Pashinyan’s five-year plan, now approved, outlines Karabagh priorities.” Civilnet, August 29, 2021, https://www.civilnet.am/news/630970/pashinyans-five-year-plan-nowapproved-outlines-Karabagh-priorities/?lang=en.
  • “President Armen Sarkissian participates in Riyadh investment forum with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.” ArmenPress, October 27, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1066567.html.
  • “QA-44, 30 October 2021, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç in Response to a Question Regarding the Release of Terrorist Hampig Sassounian, the Murderer of Kemal Arıkan, Consul General in Los Angeles.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, October 30, 2021, https://www.mfa.gov.tr/sc_44_-los-angeles-baskonsolosumuz-sehit-kemal-arikan-in-katili-terorist-ham pig-sasunyan-in-serbest-birakilmasi-hk-sc.en.mfa.
  • “Russian Official Reports Progress Towards Armenian-Azeri Transport Links.” Azatutyun, November 5, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31548083.html.
  • “Russian Proposals On Border Demarcation ‘Acceptable’ To Yerevan.” Azatutyun, November 18, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31567464.html.
  • “Senior U.S. Official Visits Armenia.” Azatutyun, November 3, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31544499.html.
  • “Structure.” The Government of the Republic of Armenia Official Website, https://www.gov.am/en/structure/.
  • “The CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met in Yerevan.” Collective Security Organization, August 10, 2021, https://en.odkb-csto.org/news/news_odkb /v-erevane-sostoyalas-vstrecha-generalnogo-sekretarya-odkb-stanislavazasya-s-premer-ministrom-respub/.
  • “Three Armenian soldiers killed in heavy border clashes.” Armenian Weekly, July 28, 2021, https://armenianweekly.com/2021/07/28/three-armeniansoldiers-killed-in-heavy-border-clashes/.
  • “Turkey urges Armenia to take constructive steps in region.” Daily Sabah, August 29, 2021, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkeyurges-armenia-to-take-constructive-steps-in-region.
  • “Turkey’s condition for normalizing relations with Armenia cannot be even discussed – FM Mirzoyan.” ArmenPress, November 20, 2021, https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1068744.html.
  • Abrahamyan, Gohar. “The Nikol Pashinyan Administration: 2018-Present.” EVN Report, September 24, 2021, https://www.evnreport.com/magazineissues/the-nikol-pashinyan-administration-2018-present.
  • Aliyev, Jeyhun. “Azerbaijan warns Russia over illegal entry of foreign vehicles into its territories,” Anadolu Agency, September 13, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/azerbaijan-warns-russia-over-illegal-entryof-foreign-vehicles-into-its-territories/2362966.
  • Blinken, Antony J. “Armenian Independence Day.” US Department of State, September 21, 2021, https://www.state.gov/armenian-independence-day/.
  • Blinken, Antony J. “Fighting Between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” US Department of State, November 16, 2021, https://www.state.gov/fightingbetween-armenia-and-azerbaijan/.
  • Ghazanchyan, Siranush. “Artsakh War was the continuation of Turkey’s policy, Armenian President says.” Public Radio of Armenia, October 28, 2021, https://en.armradio.am/2021/10/28/artsakh-was-was-the-continuation-ofturkeys-policy-armenian-president-says/.
  • Ghazanchyan, Siranush. “Suren Papikyan will replace Arshak Karapetyan as Defense Minister of Armenia.” Public Radio of Armenia, November 15, 2021, https://en.armradio.am/2021/11/15/suren-papikyan-will-replacearshak-karapetyan-as-defense-minister-of-armenia/.
  • Harutyunyan, Sargis. “Russian Official Says Armenia Signs Arms Supply Contracts In Moscow.” Azatutyun, August 25, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31428119.html Mejlumyan, Ani. “On Independence Day, Armenia not in a mood to celebrate.” Eurasianet, September 22, 2021, https://eurasianet.org/on-independenceday-armenia-not-in-a-mood-to-celebrate.
  • Mkrtchyan, Marianna. “Armenian Foreign Ministry on holding Azerbaijani-Turkish military exercises in Kashatagh region.” Arminfo, September 7, 2021, https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=64907&lang=3.
  • Nalbandian, Naira. “Armenian Mining Giant Changes Hands.” Azatutyun, October 1, 2021, https://www.azatutyun.am/a/31488318.html.
  • News from the Holy See of Cilicia. “Catholıcos Aram I: Artsakh Must Be Recognized.” St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston, September 10, 2021, https://soorpstepanos.org/2021/09/10/news-from-theholy-see-of-cilicia/.
  • Price, Ned. “Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” US Department of State, November 8, 2021, https://www.state.gov/recognizing-the-one-yearanniversary-of-the-ceasefire-declaration-between-armenia-and-azerbaijan/.
  • Sarukhanyan, Vahe. “Armenian President Sarkissian Never Declared He Was Director of Company that Purchased.” Hetq, November 8, 2021, https://hetq.am/en/article/137496.
  • Teslova, Elena. “Russia, China launch active part of Zapad/Interaction-2021 military exercises.” Anadolu Agency, August 11, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/russia-china-launch-active-part-ofzapad-interaction-2021-military-exercises/2331358.
  • World Bank. “Europe and Central Asia.” Global Economic Prospect (June 2021). https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/600223300a3685fe68016a484ee867f b-0350012021/related/Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2021-AnalysisECA.pdf.
Review of Armenian Studies-Cover
  • ISSN: 1303-5304
  • Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 2 Sayı
  • Başlangıç: 2002
  • Yayıncı: Terazi Yayıncılık Basım Dağıtım Danışmanlık Eğitim Organizasyon Matbaacılık Kırtasiye Tic. Ltd. Şti.