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Turkey Has Changed Its Stance On Armenia, Says Stepan Grigoryan

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  • Turkey Has Changed Its Stance On Armenia, Says Stepan Grigoryan

    TURKEY HAS CHANGED ITS STANCE ON ARMENIA, SAYS STEPAN GRIGORYAN

    Tert.am
    17:29 01.11.10

    Turkey has launched a new policy when it comes to relations with
    Armenia, politologist Stepan Grigoryan told a news conference today
    as he referred to the fact that Ankara removed Armenia from the list
    of countries posing threat to Turkey.

    "Do you remember the story of not installing a cross on the dome of
    Sourb Khach [Saint Cross Church]? But I was saying that the cross would
    [definitely] be installed on the dome. Today Turkey's policy is aimed
    at normalizing relations with Armenia. That does not mean that they
    have started to love the Armenians; simply the policy has changed,"
    explained he, adding that unfortunately Turkey's leadership was not
    so strong as to ratify the Armenia-Turkey Protocols.

    According to Mr Grigoryan, Turkey cannot build closer ties with Russia
    and Iran by artificially ignoring Armenia. Turkey has changed its
    attitude also towards the Armenians living in its territory, because
    a Turkey that wants EU membership cannot but respect the rights of
    national minorities, he added.

    In his words, Turkish authorities already allow Armenian experts
    visiting Turkey to visit Turkish universities, which is huge progress.

    Further he reminded that Turkey is one of the countries that recognized
    Kosovo's independence and currently does help Abkhazia, while still
    being considered Georgia's strategic partner. This, according to him,
    testifies to the fact that Ankara too is in favor of nations' right
    to-self determination.

    "We do understand that there is the Azerbaijani issue ... but overall
    our interests coincide," said he, adding that it is not through the
    help of world powers but rather through their own initiative that
    Armenia and Turkey should normalize their relations.

    The US Congress, according to him, may raise the Genocide issue for
    several times, but never recognize it, which again supportive of the
    fact that world powers may use the issue to exert pressure on Turkey,
    as needed.




    From: A. Papazian
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