Expert: Armenian diplomacy should not lose vigilance
YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. Armenian diplomacy should not lose its vigilance, Director of Oriental Studies Institute of Armenian Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan told journalists Tuesday, in commenting the joint statement of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the foreign ministries of Armenia and Turkey about establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.
“There is no doubt that the protocols about establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey and developing bilateral relations is a landmark achievement of our diplomacy. Yet, out diplomats should not relax and should work even better,” Safrastyan said.
Armenia and Turkey agreed to start internal political consultations about two preliminary protocols signed during the Swiss mediated negotiations – the protocol about establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries and the protocol about developing bilateral relations.
Safrastyan appreciated the clear and quite tough policy implemented by Armenia recently.
According to Safrastyan, the categorical statement of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan that he would not leave for Turkey if “Turkey does not take certain steps” played positive role in the process.
As to Turkey’s interest in the signing of the documents, the main reason for it was Turkey’s geopolitical ambitions and its wish to join the EU, Safrastyan said.
No diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Turkey, and the Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 initiated by official Ankara.
The first warming of the relations occurred on September 6 2008 when Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in Yerevan for the first time on the invitation of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan for watching together the football match between the nationals of Armenia and Turkey in 2010 championship qualifying games. During this visit, the two countries’ presidents discussed possible normalization of the bilateral relations. N.V. –0--
