The Turkish-Armenian Protocols

Implications for Azerbaijan

Author(s): Anar Valiyev
Editor(s): Lili Di Puppo, Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 11
Pages: 5-8
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Jefferson Institute, Washington D.C.; Heinrich Böll Foundation, Tbilisi; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen
Publication Year: 2009

Turkish-Armenian rapprochement and the signing of the related protocols had a tremendous impact on Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The failure of the Turkish side to link the Karabakh problem with normalization of relations between Ankara and Yerevan forced Azerbaijan to re-evaluate its policy toward Turkey and the West. With the opening of borders and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia, Azerbaijan loses an important tool of leverage in negotiating with Armenia to withdraw its troops from the occupied territories. Finally, Azerbaijan's disappointment with the Turkish position could negatively affect the development of energy projects, and increase Russian influence in the region.

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