Ankara is well-situated

Whereas "Istanbul" is a concept comprising the business milieu. A mixture of employer-employee-artisan; meaning the portion of society that bears the risk. Employers have the biggest risk.

Employees as well, are affected in every way by the crisis. To put it this way, Ankara is comprised of people who are well-situated. Whereas Istanbul is represented by people who assume responsibility.

As Bilal Çetin, the representative of Vatan Gazetesi in Ankara, put it recently, the latest crises that we are living through shows the difference between Istanbul and Ankara very clearly.

There is excitement in Istanbul. Fear, even panic. People are concerned their employer will become bankrupt and thus they will be unemployed. That is why they constantly pressure the administration. They want the package to pass as soon as possible.

In such a situation the media furiously broadcast, "the crisis is coming, where are you?" Those who listen to Istanbul see a mood of panic. Behind closed doors precautions are taken incessantly in order to "tighten the belt." Employees are waiting in agitation. They are trying to figure out whether they will be laid off one day or not. They are bitterly trying to come up with what to do if they are laid off.

Ankara, on the other hand, monitors this scene cold-blooded. They have a look as if they are living in outer space. Taking one step further, they claim "these people, employers, try to screw money out of the state while calling it help."

They believe Istanbul is exaggerating everything. They describe Istanbul as the weakest link in the country.

This difference between Ankara and Istanbul is extremely important and as I see it, harmful. For let us not forget, if the private sector is unable to earn money then one day those in Ankara will reach a point where they will not receive their pay.

If Ankara does not accept that they are in the same boat and as long as it views the private sector as "grafters" and itself as "protector of state property," we will not escape our difficulties.

The latest meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbantyan and Babacan, and declarations thereafter, caused us to raise our hopes.

In the Caucasus everything might just change any minute. Therefore, we should not be too exited but our expectations still rise. Turkey and Armenia for the first time are able to really look each other in the eye. They seem to be convinced that easing relations will be beneficial for both.

Armenian front relaxes gradually
Yerevan finally wants to develop and enrich its population. Finally it plans on expanding and relaxing its relationship with Europe through Turkey. We should not expect Armenia to back off the genocide allegations. Generations have been brought up with the genocide belief and it has been branded into their skin.

We can not erase it. If we want to develop our relations we need to give up reservations. Easing relations will bring great advantages for both countries, Turkey and Armenia.

Turkey bears a heavy burden. Genocide allegations are unfortunately accepted all over the world. We can deny as much as we want but it is perceived as reality. If Turkey wants to ease its burden, it has no choice but to keep up good relations. It will not accept genocide allegations but learn to live with them. Armenian’s advantage will be reached through finally stepping onto the right track with Turkey.

There is no end to living with genocide allegations. The time has finally come to see the truth and establish an order that better responds to its people’s needs.

My only concern within this Turkish-Armenian approach is that militants on both sides will sabotage development. They will definitely do this, you will see. They will push and pull, and try to ruin everything. Let us see if those who embrace this approach will behave smart and be successful.