UPDATED: Turkish analyst Emre Diner supports peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Turkish journalist and analyst Emre Diner participated on December 5 in the New Regional Reality and the Crossroads of Peace expert forum in Yerevan and spoke in favor of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.

The New Regional Reality and the Crossroads of Peace expert forum is attended by experts from Armenian, Iranian, Indian, Georgian and Turkish analytical centers.

Diner was asked how Armenia and Azerbaijan can achieve peace when Azerbaijan has territorial aspirations against Armenia. He said that he is aware of that but what matters is the final result of the peace process.

“If we want peace in the region, then we must focus only on the peace talks. Doesn’t matter what sometimes is being said from Yerevan, Ankara or Baku. I understand that this is very difficult for ordinary citizens. You don’t have to listen to everything. The three countries must only think about achieving peace. Armenians and Azerbaijanis must negotiate around all contentious issues. No one is saying that the process is easy, but it is necessary to consistently continue, because no one can live in isolation because of the existing problems. Furthermore, the dialogue shouldn’t be an end in itself,” Diner said.

Türkiye wants to establish good relations with Armenia, according Emre Diner.

Diner said he believes in peace in the region and cited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s speech on the need for peaceful coexistence in the region. Emre Diner said that Türkiye wants to have good relations with Armenia. He praised Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s participation in Erdogan’s inauguration ceremony.

Asked on Türkiye’s possible recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Diner said that Türkiye should take that step, and that the recognition could be a good foundation for the development of trilateral relations between Armenia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan in the future.

Update:

The earlier version of this article contained comments by Mr. Diner made in response to a question about the Armenian Genocide. Mr. Diner has retracted his comments, explaining that he had misunderstood the question and the comments attributed to him do not reflect his opinion.