OPINION: IMPROVEMENT OF ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS BY END OF YEAR UNLIKELY

ARKA
Sep 4, 2008

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.