Thursday, January 06, 2005

EurasiaNet Eurasia Insight - Turkish Drive Towards EU Increases Possibilities for Change in the Caucasus

"TURKISH DRIVE TOWARDS EU INCREASES POSSIBILITIES FOR CHANGE IN THE CAUCASUS
Jon Gorvett 1/06/05

The European Union's decision to pursue membership talks with Turkey could have far-reaching political and economic ramifications for the Caucasus. The accession process can stimulate democratization in the region, experts say.
The EU decided December 17 to open what promises to be a lengthy accession process with Turkey. Some political observers in Turkey say the decision immediately increased pressure on Ankara to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia. In recent months, Ankara and Yerevan have probed a rapprochement, but they have yet to make substantive progress in overcoming long-standing mutual hostility."

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