PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO TURKEY MARKED THE END OF FIRST STAGE OF RA-TURKISH PROCESS

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.10.2009 19:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ RA President’s visit to Turkey marked the end
of the first and beginning of the second stage of Armenian-Turkish
process. The first stage was crowned by the signature of bilateral
Protocols pending ratification at the second stage, NAS Oriental
Studies Institute Director Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference
in Yerevan. "The second stage is going to be as difficult, but it’s
hard to say how long it will last," he finds.

Turkey, in his view, agreed to sign Protocols considering several
factors. "First, Ankara wishes to prevent U.S. Congress from
moving forward with Armenian Genocide Resolution. Secondly, Turkey
strategically strives for EU membership whereas a close border with
Armenia does not pave way towards EU. And thirdly, Turkey seeks to
acquire a new image in the region, by becoming a transit center of
energy resources," Armenian expert said.