Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to oust Armenia from future regional joint projects, Haberler reports.
In a speech at his ruling Justice and Development party’s recent conference, the Turkish leader complained that “the official Yerevan keeps the gates of friendship with Turkey locked under the Armenian Diaspora’s pressure”.
“As a result, Armenia is ousted from regional transport and energy projects. Moreover, it is plunging into a deepening isolation,” he said, noting instead that Georgia, Armenia’s northern neighbor, has successfully built bridges between Turkey and the West, and the Caucasus region and the Middle East.
“These two examples are very demonstrative,” Erdogan said. “Anyone developing friendly ties with us secures gains, while those holding grudges suffer losses.”
Erdogan also appreciated Ankara’s close cooperation with Georgia and other countries in the region, considering it a good sign expressing “willingness to normalize relations with the neighbors”.