Setback in Armenia-Turkish relationships

Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has stated that it is unacceptable for Yerevan to start normalising relations with Ankara under preconditions. He added that despite the historic problems between the two countries Armenia had offered restoring diplomatic relations without preconditions.

For almost a year Armenia and Turkey have been conducting negotiations and several documents have been prepared. However certain political forces in Turkey have started putting preconditions to any agreement. “The establishing of diplomatic relations has now been linked with the Karabakh conflict and the regulation of the Armenia-Azeri relationship,” stated Sarkisian. The Armenian President mentioned that Turkey’s role in the region and the world is well understood, but Armenia is an independent state and it is unacceptable to talk to it in the language of conditions.

The reactivation of Turkish-Armenian relations began on September 6 last year, when Turkish President Abdullah Gul attended a football match between the two national teams in Yerevan at the invitation of the Armenian President. Journalists called this “football diplomacy.”

The return match should be held on October 14. The Armenian President has stated however that he will visit Turkey only if the Turkish-Armenian border is open by then or the lifting of the blockade of Armenia is approaching.