Turkey, Armenia In Groundbreaking Football Diplomacy

Turkish leader’s unprecedented visit to Yerevan raises hopes of better relations, but worries conservatives in Azerbaijan as well as Armenia.

By Tatul Hakobian in Yerevan (CRS No. 459, 11-Sep-08)

Turkish president Abdullah Gul’s landmark visit to Armenia has raised hopes that the two countries could at last be moving towards a better relationship after many years of antagonism.

When Gul stepped smiling off an Airbus at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport on September 6, with Mount Ararat towering in the background, it was undoubtedly a historic moment.

For two months, Gul had given evasive answers whenever he was asked whether he would accept the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian and come to Yerevan to watch the World Cup football qualifying match between the two countries.

On September 3, he showed as much courage as Sarkisian by agreeing to visit Armenia.

[…]

http://www.iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=346641&apc_state=henpcrs

After the Final Whistle

The idea seemed quite simple when it was first floated by the Armenian president, Serj Sargsyan, in July. For all the historical hatred and political animosity, the beautiful game was one passion shared by people on both sides of the long-sealed Turkish-Armenian border. If the Turkish and Armenians teams were to play each other in a world cup qualifier, why couldn’t the occasion be used to bring the two peoples and states together, in a first step in the long road towards reconciliation? And so, the invitations went out, and the Armenian president invited his counterpart to a football match. That such an otherwise routine and commonplace action was labelled ‘historic’ fittingly illustrated the level of animosity between these two neighbours.

In the end, the visit itself was something of an anti-climax. Despite of Armenia lifting all visa restrictions on Turkish citizens, the visions of Turkic hordes descending on the Caucasian mountain state – Turkey’s fans are known for their fierce dedication to ‘the cause’ – did not materialise. The Turkish delegation included mostly diplomats and journalists, and numbered in the hundreds rather than the tens of thousands. Neither did the nightmares of egg- or tomato-throwing Armenian nationalists come true. Yes, there were Armenian demonstrators peacefully expressing their dismay at the visit on the streets of Yerevan. And yes, both the Turkish president and the Turkish anthem were booed before the game. But public demonstrations are a fundamental human right, as is, according to many, the booing and hissing of opponents’ anthems during soccer matches – something at which Turkish football fans apparently also excel. In practice, there was general consensus in Armenian society on the desirability of a normalisation of relations – with the country’s opposition even suspending its long-running protest actions so as to create a favourable atmosphere in the capital, and with the press remaining overwhelmingly supportive. All in all, the visit went as planned – leaving everyone with the question, after the final whistle: “Now what?”

[…]

http://kovkaz.blogspot.com/2008/09/after-final-whistle.html

Unfortunately, few Turkish fans were present, but maybe that was for the best given the possibility that more would have made the chances of the occasional clash more likely, I’m not sure. A pity, though.

Turkey’s Gul To Brief Azeri Leader On Armenia Visit

Turkish President Abdullah Gul will fly to Baku on Wednesday to discuss with Azerbaijani officials implications of his historic visit to Armenia that has raised more hopes for a Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

According to the Associated Press news agency, a spokesman for Gul said Tuesday the president will return to Ankara on Wednesday evening after meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliev. The official said the meeting will focus on Gul’s Saturday talks in Yerevan with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian.

Turkey has closed cultural and ethnic affinity with Azerbaijan and has lent the latter full and unconditional support in its protracted conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Ankara refused to establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan and closed the Turkish-Armenian border in 1993 out of solidarity with its Turkic ally.

Gul’s decision to accept Sarkisian’s invitation to visit Yerevan and watch Saturday’s football game between Armenia’s and Turkey’s national team sparked unease in Azerbaijan over a possible change in the Turkish policy. Some pro-government politicians, pundits and media there openly criticized the move, accusing Ankara of improving ties with Yerevan at the expense of Azerbaijan’s national interests. Gul’s trip to Baku may well be intended to allay such fears.

In a Monday interview with RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani service, Gul reiterated his satisfaction with the results of his meeting with Sarkisian that was followed by more substantive talks between the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers. “Now, in the Caucasus, the stones have been moved and we are also making an effort and we are making our move,” he said. “And, God willing, it will bring results. If we get results then we will all be happy.”

Gul added that regional peace and stability requires a resolution of Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s bitter disputes with Armenia. “Peace and stability will serve everyone’s interest,” he said. “But to have [peace and stability] we need a resolution.

[…]

The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers will meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month to try to build on progress reportedly made by the two sides in Yerevan. “We want this positive momentum to continue,” a Turkish diplomat was quoted by “The Turkish Daily News” as saying.

The paper also cited on Tuesday an opinion poll that shows almost 70 percent of Turks consider Gul’s Yerevan visit to have been “positive.” Nearly two-thirds of those polled voiced support for improving Turkey’s relations with Armenia.

http://www.armenialiberty.org/armeniareport/report/en/2008/09/11091EEA-221F-49CD-A607-DD0E91DCCAB2.ASP

Turkish juniors to host Armenia

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News

Three days after the Turkish national football team traveled to Yerevan, Armenia for a World Cup qualifying game, it is now the turn of young Armenians to visit Turkey.

Tonight the Turkish U-21 squad will host the Armenian U-21 team at Istanbul’s Ali Sami Yen Stadium, in its last match of the 2009 U-21 European Championships qualifying campaign.
Turkey currently leads its group with 16 points, two points ahead of second placed Czech Republic, and at least a draw against Armenia will win Turkey a berth in the playoff games to be played on Nov. 11-15.

[…]

U-21 team coach Hami Mandıralı, a former Trabzonspor striker, spoke hopefully about the Armenia game, buoyed by a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday night in Bursa.

“I hope that we will continue our good from against Armenia,” he told a post-game press conference. “We lost the first game in Armenia, and this creates pressure on us, but I think we compensated that loss tonight and matched our goal.”

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=114800

Fatih Cekirge: A signal for a new Nogorno-Karabakh map during Armenia visit

After the history packed with murders, assassinations, attacks, hate, closed borders, invasions, and claims of genocide… This was the first time that a president of the Turkish Republic has paid a visit to Armenia. Since this was a historic visit, I allocate my entire column to this visit I paid together with President Abdullah Gul.

This was the atmosphere just after the match… The two presidents are having a conversation, and we are listening to them. Jokes are being made. The Armenians had prepared a very nice open buffet. There was no sign of victory or defeat on their faces. Gul turns to Sargsyan and says:

-I will visit Azerbaijan after my visit here. I hope positive developments will emerge…

Sargsyan replies:

- Of course… We are ready.

This is very important because Sargsyan clearly states, “We want the borders open with Turkey. We want a solution to problems.”

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/home/9845882.asp?gid=244&sz=8325

Gul: my visit broke psychological barriers in Caucasus

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President Abdullah Gul’s brief yet still landmark visit to Armenia raised hopes for dialogue that could eventually restore relations between the two estranged neighbors and help bury an almost a century old hostility over history, Today’s Zaman reports.

“My visit broke psychological barriers in the Caucasus,” Gul told reporters on his way back to Turkey on Saturday night after watching a World Cup qualifying match between the national teams of the two countries in Hrazdan Stadium. During his brief stay in Yerevan, Gul also had a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sargsyan, who had invited him to watch the game.

“The visit has huge symbolic importance: it is the first time ever a Turkish president has set foot in Armenia since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It is also a landmark step because Turkey and Armenia have had no formal ties since 1993, when Turkey severed relations and closed its border with Armenia to support Azerbaijan in the Nagorno Karabakh dispute. But the origins of dispute go much deeper in history. Armenia claims the Ottoman Turks killed 1.5 million Armenians in eastern Anatolia during the World War I years as part of a systematic campaign of genocide,” the newspaper says.

Both Gul and Sargsyan were hopeful that the visit could break the ice and open the way for dialogue to resolve differences. “We hope we will be able to demonstrate goodwill to solve the problems between our countries and not leave them to future generations,” Sargsyan told a news conference after meeting with Gul on Saturday. Gul, alongside Sargsyan, said he was “leaving optimistic.” “If we create a good atmosphere and climate for this process, this will be a great achievement, and will also benefit stability and cooperation in the Caucasus,” he told reporters after the game.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26964

Gul invited Sargsyan to Istanbul to watch return match between Turkish and Armenian teams

PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia’s President Serzh Sarsgyan met Saturday with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, who arrived in Yerevan to watch a World Cup qualifying match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams, the RA leader’s press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Thanking Mr Gul forn accepting the invitation, President Sarsgyan said that direct contacts are the only effective way to establish relations.

For his part, the Turkish President invited Sargsyan to Istanbul to watch a return match between Turkish and Armenian teams.

The top officials discussed possibilities to normalize bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional issues, stressing that political will can help to resolve the problems and creation of atmosphere of trust.

“Mr Sargsyan made the first step. Acceptance of the invitation originated a joint initiative that can be exemplary for the whole region,” Gul said.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26959

Armenian and Turkish FMs intend to promote normalization of relations

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian held a 2-hour meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan on Saturday night to discuss Turkey-initiated Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and other regional and international issues, the RA MFA press office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

Welcoming the quest, Minister Nalbandian said the visit offered a good opportunity to open dialogue between the heads of state. He confirmed Armenia’s willingness to establish relations without preconditions.

The Foreign Ministers said they are resolute to work for normalization of bilateral relations and agreed to meet late September during the UN General Assembly session.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26963

Sergei Karaganov: Russia wants Turkey-Armenia reconciliation

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia is interested in normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations, said Sergei Karaganov, chairman of the presidium of the council for foreign policy and defense.

He voiced hope that cooperation between the two states can ensure stability in the region. “Hostility between Armenia and Turkey has always been a factor influencing the world policy. This presidential meeting is a historical event, which means that the ice has been broken,” he told the Echo of Moscow.

“It’s evident that the two countries are trying to reconcile because they feel the necessity to unite to face new challenges and regional instability,” he said.

http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=26962

Embassy Yerevan Warden Message 15

Warden Message
U.S. Embassy Yerevan
Septemeber 4, 2008

ARMENIA-TURKEY SOCCER GAME ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2008

This Warden Message is being sent to alert U.S. citizens that a World Cup qualifying match will be taking place between the Armenian and Turkish national teams on September 6, 2008 at 9 pm in Hrazdan Stadium near the center of Yerevan. Reports indicate that, in addition to the Armenian fans, there could be a significant contingent of Turkish fans traveling to Yerevan for the game. A match of such historic nature is likely to elicit strong emotional responses from fans. Nonetheless, the Embassy is confident that Armenian authorities will take necessary measures to ensure that security is maintained.

You should be aware, however, of the potential for violence, as well as the disruption to daily life in the center of the city due to increased crowds, limited parking, and traffic jams. American citizens who choose to attend the game or go near the Stadium, should avoid potential disturbances, stay current with media coverage of local events, and be aware of their surroundings at all times. […]

http://www.usa.am/consular/warden090408.php

Armenia-Turkey: 0:2

07.09.2008 00:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkish national soccer team scored a 2:0 victory over the Armenian team in a World Cup 2010 qualifier today.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his Turkish counterpart Andullah Gul were present at the match.

The return match will take place on October 14, 2009 in Istanbul.

In retrospect, this was a huge mistake as it meant I missed the deadline for getting accreditation to cover the game on the sidelines and was stuck all the way at the back right behind the goal. So, apologies for the photos.

Really should have been closer and level with the field to get some better shots and depth of field blur for the background. Never mind. Hopefully this won’t be the last such sporting event between Armenia and Turkey.

Can Soccer Heal Turkey-Armenia Rift?

[…]

“What we are seeing is some prospect of the de-escalation of conflict between the two peoples, but it’s not going to be easy,” says former U.S. ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris, currently a scholar at the Brookings Institution. “Both capitals have wanted to find a solution for some time, but third parties — including Azerbaijan, in the case of Turkey, and the Armenian diaspora, in the case of Yerevan — have militated against one.”

Gul is expected to spend only a few hours in the Armenian capital, but his aides say that on the sidelines of the soccer match, the Presidents will discuss a Turkish proposal to establish a new regional “platform” to facilitate conflict resolution and strengthen economic ties among Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Azerbaijan. They may also discuss a proposal to set up a commission of unbiased historians to examine the murders of Armenians in 1915.

Adding urgency to the current discussions is the Russian invasion of Georgia, which has raised fears not just in Turkey but also in the West that instability in the region could interrupt energy supplies from the Caspian through Turkey to Western consumers. Ankara hopes its proposed “platform” would help reduce regional tensions.

Armenia is particularly eager to find a way to reopen its border with Turkey, because it is currently forced to conduct its international trade via Georgia’s Black Sea ports. That corridor has been squeezed by the Russian military action in Georgia; a key railway bridge was mined and the port of Poti remains occupied by Russian troops.

[…]

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1839199,00.html