Normalization of Armenian-Turkish ties is like a game of chess

PanARMENIAN.Net - "Many compare Armenian-Turkish relations to football, but I believe they're more like a game of chess. One party can go back on its move - that's Armenia, and the other can't - That's Turkey. As it's often the case in a game - you can go back on your move and emerge as a winner," Head of Theoretical Philosophy and Logics Department at YSU, Alexander Manasyan told a news conference.





"In complicated political games there are conditions the ideology of which was pre-set. In these circumstances, one can clearly see Europe's policy towards Turkey. As French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated, Europe can have close relations with Turkey, but not accept is as EU member," Minasyan said.



According to him, Ankara will mostly feel pressure from Europe rather than US, as currently Europe, and not US, has to deal with Turkey. "Europe is afraid of accepting a country which has committed a crime and doesn't acknowledge its fault."



Manasyan noted that Turkey is greatly experiences with foreign policy, so Armenia has to be up to its level and undertake corresponding steps. He also emphasized the delicate policy conducted by Turkey on Armenian Genocide recognition.



"The statement on agreement on normalization of Turkish Armenian ties sighed through the intermediary of Switzerland helped Ankara get round the Genocide issue. Turkey had to start negotiations, as conflict with Armenia prevents it from entering EU. First steps towards normalization of relations should have been taken under the slogan of border opening. But everyone is aware that the real issue is lifting of Turkey's blockade of Armenia," Manasyan emphasized.



On April 22, Armenia and Turkey agreed on road-map to normalize ties. The joint statement issued by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Turkey said that Turkey and Armenia, together with Switzerland as mediator, have been working intensively with a view to normalizing their bilateral relations and developing them in a spirit of good-neighborliness, and mutual respect, and thus to promoting peace, security and stability in the whole region.