STATEMENTS ON OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER IN AUTUMN, 2009, TO PROBABLY REMAIN JUST TALKS: RUSSIAN EXPERT

ArmInfo
2009-06-23 12:00:00

ArmInfo. The statements on opening of the Armenian-Turkish border in
autumn, 2009, will probably remain juts talks, Head of Department of
CIS countries by the Russian Institute of Strategic Research Alexander
Skakov said at the International Conference "Armenia on the Crossroad
of Communications" in Tsakhkadzor.

‘One should not hope for settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations
in the near future, as they amount to the political game. Using the
situation after the August war and taking into account the serious
influence of the USA and EU in the region, Turkey increases its rating
in South Caucasus placing its stake on a circumstance that discussion
of possible normalization of the relations with Armenia will cause
serious problems between the government of Armenia and the Diaspora
concerning recognition of the Armenian Genocide’, Skakov said.

He also said his forecast has been conditioned, first of all, by the
stance of the Turkish society, 50% citizens of which are against
opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, as Armenia with its small
market is of no interest for them.

‘Only an opportunity of transit of the Turkish goods to Azerbaijan
and Asian countries through the territory of Armenia , that will
allow to thrice increase the export volumes, may be of interest for
Turkey. However, such opportunities will become a reality only in
case of launch of Kars-Gyumri railway communication before opening of
Kars-Tbilisi- Baku railway in 2011 bypassing Armenia’, Skakov resumed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress