ZURAB TODUA: ARMENIA WILL NEVER AGREE TO CEDE KARABAKH IN EXCHANGE FOR OPENING BORDER WITH TURKEY
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.07.2008 14:37 GMT+04:00
Armenia is not ready to stop its policy of international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide, a Russian expert said.
"I think this issue will remain extremely painful for Armenia and
Armenians for years to come. This problem occupies an important
place in the system of political views of the Armenian society. It
is impossible to change it immediately. It might be resolved only
during the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations,"
political scientist Zurab Todua said.
"As for Nagorno Karabakh, it is quite obvious that opening of borders
and return of territories are not the same things. It is odd that
such wording occurs. Does anyone in Azerbaijan really think that in
exchange for opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Armenia will agree
to return Nagorno Karabakh? Only softening of Yerevan’s positions at
the talks is possible, I suppose."
"The problem of Nagorno Karabakh concerns primarily the Azerbaijani
government and society. It would be strange if Ankara was concerned
with it even more than Baku. We should realize that the Nagorno
Karabakh problem is neither task number one nor two or even three
in Turkey’s foreign policy. Turkey’s main task is to be accepted to
the European Union. It is necessary for the economic development of
the country. EU’s provisions are stiff. It demands changes in the
Turkey’s policy towards the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
normalization of relations with Armenia and initiation of a dialogue
with Kurds. Turkey is in a very complicated condition. It supports
separatists of Northern Cyprus and at the same time fights Kurdish
separatism. It is a hard business. Only rich and strong countries can
conduct a policy, based on mutually exclusive principles. Turkey is
not rich or strong and it is impossible to demand from Turkey what
is above its abilities," Todua said, Day.az reports.