Caspian Report - Issue 06 - Winter 2014
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Co-chairs of the<br />
Minsk Group<br />
Ambassador<br />
Robert Bradtke of<br />
the United States,<br />
Ambassador<br />
Bernard Fassier<br />
of France and<br />
Ambassador<br />
Igor Popov of<br />
the Russian<br />
Federation.<br />
include changes in the traditional<br />
Turkish foreign policy, and Azerbaijan’s<br />
desire to be more active in the<br />
international arena, and to use its<br />
energy resources to achieve its national<br />
interests. As a consequence, the<br />
changes and diversification of areas of<br />
interests and activities have led to an<br />
increased number of differences.<br />
REGARDING TURKEY, THE FIRST STEP OF ITS NEW<br />
REGIONAL POLICY WAS TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY<br />
AIMED AT IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURING<br />
COUNTRIES.<br />
Regarding Turkey, the first step of its<br />
new regional policy was to develop a<br />
strategy aimed at improving relations<br />
with neighbouring countries. It is no<br />
secret that during the different eras of<br />
its existence, the Turkish Republic has<br />
faced all kinds of disagreements with<br />
its neighbours. From this perspective,<br />
a new formula was derived for relations<br />
with its neighbours: “zero” problems.<br />
In other words, the aim is to find<br />
a formula for the resolution of controversies<br />
and to establish provisions for<br />
the further development of relations.<br />
With this policy, Turkey expected to<br />
eliminate or completely resolve the<br />
problems arising from relations with<br />
neighbouring states. The main objective<br />
of this new strategy was to avoid<br />
simply “freezing” the existing problems,<br />
and rather intensifying of efforts<br />
to solve problems with a win-win approach<br />
through peaceful means. 5<br />
It is in this perspective that Turkey<br />
was considering changing its policy towards<br />
Armenia. Turkey’s new foreign<br />
policy in relation to Armenia was being<br />
described as “from zero relations<br />
to zero problems”. Turkey was determined<br />
to resolve the existing problems<br />
with Armenia. With the adoption<br />
of a new foreign policy, Turkey<br />
started unilaterally to look for ways to<br />
87<br />
CASPIAN REPORT, WINTER <strong>2014</strong><br />
5<br />
. For more information see: Policy of Zero Problems with our Neighbors, Official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of<br />
Turkey, http://www.mfa.gov.tr/policy-of-zero-problems-with-our-neighbors.en.mfa
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