ArmInfo.Moscow is, beyond doubt, keeping an eye on the ongoing process between Yerevan and Ankara. Therefore, Russia's interests will be considered both in the process itself and, which is most important, in its results, the political scientist Robert Gevondyan told ArmInfo.
On December 30, Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the first meeting of the Armenian and Turkish special representatives for normalization of the bilateral relations to be held this January. Armenia will be represented by Parliament Vice-Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, with Turkey to be represented by former Turkish Ambassador to the United States Serdar Kilic.
Mr Gevondyan believes that after the 44-day war Armenia has partly lost its international entity, which primarily accounts for this fact. It implies Russia's unconditional involvement in the normalization process and, as a result, lack of any essential changes in the current Armenian-Russian relations, the expert said. Armenia's major task in the special representatives' forthcoming meeting is to sort out the opportunities for normalizing its relations with Turkey in the context of various issues not of vital interest to Armenia. Mr Gevondyan does not expect good-neighborly relations with Turkey or rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey in the immediate future and highlights a need for a dialogue over issues of secondary importance on the bilateral agenda.
Mr Gevondyan regards as futile the hopes for re-opened borders and diplomatic relations as a logical end of the nascent Armenian-Turkish process. What is important is the commenced process itself in the context of its numerous aspects, prospects and opportunities for the parties, he said. He singles out the prospect for humanitarian relations and transit even amid mutual hostility.
"Should Armenia make progress in at least one of the aspects, and it is in Armenian interests, it could be considered a success, albeit on a limited scale. And it is the commenced normalization processes that will enable us to realize the limit and cost of our possible progress - in view of the fact that some of our achievements may turn excessively costly and, therefore, unacceptable, to Armenia," the expert said. Mr Gevondyan hopes Armenia's authorities will be able to form a professional team that will enable Armenia to maneuver in this most complicated process.