Armenian-Turkish border won't be open on Apr. 16

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian-Turkish border is unlikely to open on Apr. 16, Caucasus Institute director, politologist Alexander Iskandaryan told a news conference in Yerevan. Still, Yerevan and Ankara might sign a memorandum on opening of borders and establishment of diplomatic relations, Iskandaryan said.



According to Iskandaryan, there are both positive and negative aspects to opening of borders. "There mustn't be any closed borders in the 21st century. Opening of borders will facilitate interaction with European countries and enable to introduce Armenian capital in eastern regions of Turkey. Among negative aspects is the inflow of people from Eastern Turkey in Armenia and vice versa."



Iskandaryan also noted that numerous forces in Turkey are opposed to opening of Armenian - Turkish border, so Azeri lobby is not the first in the list.



"Nationalists, religious circles, ethnic Azeries are opposed to normalization of Turkish - Armenian ties. Today Azerbaijan uses all of its bargaining tools in dealing with Turkey,'' Alexander Iskandaryan noted.