THERE IS A CHANCE TO RESTORE THE ARMENIAN-SYRIAN RELATIONS ON 1990S
Anna Nazaryan

“Radiolur”
28.06.2011

“The strained Turkish-Syrian relations are dangerous today. They pose
a serious problem to Turkish authorities, but Armenia should also
make certain judgments,” expert of Turkish studies Artak Shakaryan
told a press conference today.

Expert of Arab studies Araik Harutyunyan says that under the conditions
of strained Turkish-Syrian relations, Armenia must try to deepen its
ties with Syria.

“The “Arab spring” did not bypass Syria, and the migration of about
10 thousand Syrians has brought about tension in the Turkish-Syrian
relations, since most people crossing the Turkish border represent
anti-Turkish elements,” Arayik Harutyunyan said. According to him,
“Turkey has problems with neighbors, but the internal political issues
are the most important.”

When the Turkish-Syrian relations improved back in 2000, this affected
the Armenian-Syrian ties. Now Armenia has a chance to restore the
Armenian-Syrian relations of 1990, Harutyunyan said.

Artak Shakaryan says Turkey is trying to use the situation to create
a buffer zone in Syria. According to him, our western neighbor aspires
to assume the role of the chief mediator.

“If there is no external pressure on Turkey, the latter will push back
the discussion of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, leaving them for
2014, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,”
Shakaryan said.