South Caucasus is important for Turkey as part of its strategies – Dmitri Brije

Speaking with Alpha News, Turkologist Dmitri Brije commented on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s statement that Turkey may open the border with Armenia after the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku.

“Of course, normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku is important for Turkey because it will support Turkey’s interests in the region. First of all, it concerns the trade issue, because there are still talks about the trade route that will go through this region. Therefore, this region is important for Turkey and its strategies. After all, there is manufacturing in Turkey, so there are certain economic interests. Turkey benefits from the normalization of relations between Yerevan and Baku, as there is a certain strategy that is important for Turkey.

Of course, Turkey is engaged in it now. It has, after all, certain priorities now. And the trade route, which will be, is also one of the priorities,” Brije said.

“Baku and Ankara have very good relations, but it is not known how they will develop further because in 2028 Turkey will probably have political changes. Maybe the opposition will come, because Erdogan, of course, is already losing his position. Now he is trying to popularize himself amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We see what problems Turkey is facing now because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, because of certain political changes in the country, and on the global stage because Erdogan is constantly making new statements,” Brije concluded.