NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH TIES IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT NKR CONFLICT SETTLEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
28.04.2009 16:04 GMT+04:00

Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is possible, though
difficult, without NKR conflict settlement, Ichik University
international Relations Department Head Byulent Aras told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

"Recently, Turkey started to perceive Armenia in a more positive
light. Though this is more the case with European part of Turkey. The
majority still gives preference to Azeriis, who’re closer. But
Armenians are close to us either," Aras said. At the same time,
Turkish professor noted that neither Russia, US or any other
country in the world can hamper normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations. "Negotiation process should involve Turkey and Armenia
only," he stressed.

As for Armenian Genocide acknowledgement, the Turkish professor
maintains that not only Armenians became victims during World War I
but other nations, including Turks, as well.

"The past should be left to historians, and we should go on living
in present. Why should we pass through Georgia to visit Armenia or
Turkey when there’s a shorter way," Byulent Aras noted.