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Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am
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April 15, 2010

ACNIS Again Looks at the Prospects for the Normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish Relations

Yerevan–At the threshold of the Armenian Genocide’s 95th anniversary,
the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
today convened yet another roundtable discussion regarding the
prospects for the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations
against the backdrop of the most recent developments.

Extending his greetings to the participants, ACNIS Administrative
Director Dr. Karapet Kalenchian noted that such discussions, which are
devoted to the most important aspects of the Armenian-Turkish
diplomacy and the possible scenarios for this problem’s resolution,
greatly help clarify Armenia’s current foreign policy trajectory. `The
`Road Map,’ which came into being exactly one year ago, and then the
well-known `Protocols,’ are documents that were signed behind the
backs of our people, they were a shock to the Armenian people, and
they have caused dramatically opposing views to this day,’ Kalenchian
stated, underscoring the need to shed further light on this matter. In
his view, instead of signing debatable documents, it will be correct
to simply exchange notes and thus to establish diplomatic relations
and open the borders, as it was rightly stated by Raffi
K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.

ACNIS Senior Analyst Manvel Sargsian presented his analysis concerning
the general context of the `Washington’ phase of the Armenian-Turkish
talks. He maintained that Turkey continues to act irrationally and to
posit preconditions upon Armenia, but, at the same time, its efforts
toward linking the Karabagh issue to this process are not comprehended
by the United States. `Turkey has to reconcile with the fact that,
since its obstinacy is to its own detriment, the Western countries,
and particularly the Unites States, in the first place, have
intensified the efforts to recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915,
and are using this issue as an additional leverage to put pressure on
Turkey,’ Sargsian remarked. `Even Azerbaijan has come to understand
that, with its absurd demands, it is paralyzing the political policy
of its `big brother.” Sargsian concluded that Turkey is now standing
before the imperative of reviewing its stand with respect to
normalizing relations with Armenia.

For his part, ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian noted that following
the recent meeting in Washington between Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdoðan and Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian, there are
renewed expectations of hope that the process of Turkish-Armenian
`normalization’ is back on track. He explained that while the meeting
represented the `last chance’ for Turkey to meet expectations, new
obstacles are coming, including the April 24th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide, which affirms that the real test for this latest
round of Turkish-Armenian diplomacy is only beginning.

The presentations were then followed by a series of questions and
answers, and featured a lively exchange among several analysts,
experts and journalists.

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The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is
a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan,
Armenia. As an independent, objective institution committed to
conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to
raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public
engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater
and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the
institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has
acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional
independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national
and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or
27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am;
or visit