Opinion: Improvement of Armenia-Turkey Relations by End of Year Unlikely
05.09.2008,
02:43
Serious changes in Armenian-Turkish relations by the end of this year are improbable, Armenian political scientist Sergey Shakaryants said.
YEREVAN, September 4. /ARKA/. Serious changes in Armenian-Turkish relations by the end of this year are improbable, Armenian political scientist Sergey Shakaryants said.
No diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Turkey, and the Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 initiated by official Ankara.
Official Yerevan says it is ready to establish relations with Turkey without any preconditions. But Turkey puts preconditions for establishing bilateral relations, particularly requests Armenia to give up the policy of international recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915 when about one and a half million Armenians were slaughtered.
Opening of the borders between the two countries is impossible, Shakaryants said.
As to the forthcoming visit of Turkish President Giul to Yerevan for watching Armenia-Turkey FIFA qualifier, the political scientist pointed out that any contact between the two countries is a positive change itself.
But one should not expect too much, bearing in mind the background against which the first meeting of the presidents is to be held, the political scientist said.
The leaders may exchange views on a number of issues, but this does not mean that other meetings or attempts to solve problems through close cooperation will follow, said Shakaryants. –0--
No diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Turkey, and the Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 initiated by official Ankara.
Official Yerevan says it is ready to establish relations with Turkey without any preconditions. But Turkey puts preconditions for establishing bilateral relations, particularly requests Armenia to give up the policy of international recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915 when about one and a half million Armenians were slaughtered.
Opening of the borders between the two countries is impossible, Shakaryants said.
As to the forthcoming visit of Turkish President Giul to Yerevan for watching Armenia-Turkey FIFA qualifier, the political scientist pointed out that any contact between the two countries is a positive change itself.
But one should not expect too much, bearing in mind the background against which the first meeting of the presidents is to be held, the political scientist said.
The leaders may exchange views on a number of issues, but this does not mean that other meetings or attempts to solve problems through close cooperation will follow, said Shakaryants. –0--
