Protocol negotiations pass football phase

By news.am | Thursday, 15 October 2009

The first stage of Armenia-Turkey normalization ended with RA President's visit to Turkey. The second is due after the Protocols' ratification in the parliaments - which is not an easy task, deems Dr. Ruben Safrastyan, Professor of Turkish Studies.

According to him, Armenia has made a go ahead in normalizing relations with Turkey. As concerns the opening of the border, it depends on the Turkish parliament's decision - which is under the question. "Turkey will try to pressurize Armenia during parliamentary ratification of the documents," insists Safaryan. He maintains unblocking of the border will change Turkey's role in the region.

He inclines to the opinion that Turkey seeks to join EU and prevent U.S. from recognizing Armenian Genocide. The expert underlines that Turkey falls short of the integration which proves the way they treated Armenians in Bursa. "Intolerance has grown in Turkish society recently," he concludes.

 

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