Diplomatic moves: Learning slalom

On Cyprus, Turkey has learned to move more smoothly across the troubled EU waters. Previously, on the path to EU, when issues were faced by Turkey, the classical situation was an escalation of incomprehension, the definition of red lines and the accusation of unfair or unbalanced treatments. Turkey is moving more easily and is getting experienced with the tough process awaiting it. Result is that even if the move created uneasiness at home, the turkish hand has been stronger and Europe mainly sticked to European Commission recommendations.

Most important is that Republic Of Cyprus has been incited to move for a settlement for the long lasting dispute on the island. The idea of reciprocity of efforts on both parts of the island is making its way and it will be harder in the coming years to maintain status quo. Greece has given up trying anything with Cyprus, EU is pushing both sides to get closer economically but has no power and legitimity to solve political problems and ultimately UN is fed up with trying to separate spoilt local powers of this tiny island from spitting to eachother face. So this can be a turning point in the Cyprus Problem and Greek Cyprus will whether defend the current state of affairs in the wait of the "European Solution" whether it will review its strategy and look for an Annan plan with improved implementation phases and calendars.

So in a similar way Turkey can take a tremendous step on the armenian genocide claims
by voting a law stating the following :

"The Ottoman Empire on the verge of its implosion under the external pressure of the greatest military powers of the XXth century, ordered in 1915 a migration of the local armenian communities in order to keep the control of its supply lines, and avoid clashes among ethnic lines. The relocation has been run into a failure and the empire could not protect these citizens that contributed so much to many ottoman achievements. Thus, Turkey recognizes that in the Ottoman Empire a genocide by negligence has taken place."

This implies that the recognition of their suffering asked by many armenians is clearly worded as they desired. However, any legal action is not helped with this formulation since :

1. No author is labeled

2. A genocide according to UN resolutions cannot be the consequence of a negligence

This position is a compromise solution that allows to move out of the debate on words and denial. This is a true challenge for Turkey but bold steps on such issue would better integrate Turkey in the EU-Caucasus axis and maybe even help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.