Ankara's refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide is not a hindrance to establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey, RA President Serzh Sargsyan told when interviewed by Russia Today RF TV Channel. "The Armenian Genocide is a proven fact, but we support normalization of Armenian -Turkish ties without preconditions," RA President noted. According to RA President, before Abdullah Gul's visit, Turkey set two preconditions to Armenia, which were the Genocide and NKR conflict settlement issues."During negotiations we were guided by the following principle - establishment of relations without preconditions, and further discussion of any issues that the two parties might find of interest, RA President noted. I will accept Abdullah Gul's invitation to visit Turkey, if the border was opened before, or the parties will be on the threshold of opening the border, RA President stated.

"Until recently, we were confident that we made a significant progress in negotiations and a historic situation change could be expected.
But Turkish Prime Minister's recent statement that Armenian Turkish relations can't be normalized unless Armenia makes concessions in NKR issue, was viewed as a deviation from agreement reached and setting of preconditions," Serzh Sargsyan noted. According to him, the football is now on Turkish side of the field. "And if we speak in terms of "football diplomacy" we have to note that the match is restricted by certain time," Serzh Sargsyan emphazised.