SABINE FREIZER: "MAIN OBSTACLE TO NORMALIZATION OF TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS IS NOT THOSE COUNTRIES, BUT AZERBAIJAN"
APA
March 12 2010
Azerbaijan
Yerevan – APA. "Both Armenia and Turkey will win in the process of
normalization of bilateral relations.
Ankara hopes that it will be a step towards realization of the
program "zero problems with neighbors", but discussion of the issue
of Armenian genocide at the joint commission will delay international
recognition of this fact. Armenia will get opened borders and restore
diplomatic relations with the neighbor country", said Sabine Freizer,
Europe Program Director, International Crisis Group at the NATO 73rd
Rose Roth seminar in Yerevan, APA reports quoting News.am. Freizer
said with normalization of its relations with Turkey, Armenia at the
same time would prove to the Armenian Diaspora that it could pursue
policy not depending from it.
"But the main obstacle to normalization of the relations is not
these countries, but Azerbaijan, which considers that Turkey closed
its borders with Armenia because of Nagorno Karabakh conflict and
they are sure that the borders must not be opened without withdrawal
of Armenian troops from the Armenian-controlled lands. Turkey also
intends to prolong the opening of borders, but it has other reasons".
Sabine Freizer said the situation was complicated by the decision of
Armenian constitutional court. "I don’t think that the decision of
Armenian constitutional court doesn’t tackle the ratification of the
protocols. Ankara is willing to ratify the protocols, but there should
be certain progress in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict for that. The
question is not about the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the lands
controlled by them or signing of any framework agreement. The question
is about the small movement. I met President Gul in Ankara. He said
that they were ready to ratify the protocols in the form that was
signed in Zurich".