ARMENIAN POLITICAL EXPERT: SERZH SARGSYAN MOST LIKELY TO MAKE TRIP TO TURKEY

Today.Az
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Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan

Armenian political expert and Deputy Director of Caucasus Institute
Sergey Minasyan commented to Day.Az protocols on the development of
bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia made public today.

"Protocols made public by Armenian and Turkey first of all point to a
new stage in the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations
and willingness of the parties to continue the process regardless of
the complexity of the regional context," Minasyan said.

"Secondly, they point to political decision Ankara has made to fully
normalize relations with Yerevan and serious impact of this decision
by U.S. and the EU. At the same time, mechanism of implementation of
these protocols (for example, 6 weeks for "internal consultations")
indicate serious limitations both in the Armenian and the Turkish
leadership with regard to domestic policy and a need to prepare
societies of both countries to the final stage – establishment of
full diplomatic relations and opening of borders," Minasyan said.

"Under current conditions, Serzh Sargsyan is most likely to visit
Turkey especially considering that the so-called "6 weeks" exactly
coincide with the date of October 14 -date a soccer match between
Turkish and Armenian national teams," the political expert said asked
whether the president Serzh Sargsyan will trip to Turkey to watch
return football match.

"Moreover, perhaps the afore-said protocols will be signed during
the visit and "meter" of final stage in normalization of relations
between Armenia and Turkey will be launched," Minasyan said.