Serzh Sargsyan: We create conditions to open dialogue with Turkey
Concerns over normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations do not surprise, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said during the meeting with RA Public Council members.
"I had doubts before inviting Turkey's President to Armenia. But now, the point is that the Protocols are not an agreement on capitulation or a strategic agreement on cooperation. We could not include our wishes in the protocols exclusively. Concerns can't disappear forever and I can't promise that all nuances were taken into account. We do not establish friendly relations with Turkey. We just create conditions to open dialogue with this country. If there are force opposing this dialogue I could understand them only in case they had held the same position five or ten years ago," President Sargsyan said.
"Opening the border, we open roads. Otherwise, there is no need to have the border open at all," he emphasized.
The President also disagreed with views about Turkish economic expansion. "I talked to our businessmen and they told me that Turkey is a market with 70 million people for them. As to demographic expansion, I would like to note that we can't resist this challenge by remaining in isolation," he said.
President Sargsyan also slammed the opinion that Armenia's economy is monopolized and economic ties with Turkey will not be beneficial.
"As to so-called 'pressure of the international community', I must say that making statements is not pressing. The same refers to Nagorno Karabakh problem. I would also like to say that I do not see any preconditions in the Protocols," he said.
Commenting on historical committee creation, Serzh Sargsyan emphasized that establishment of relations with Turkey will not hamper Armenian Genocide's international recognition process. 'Turkey could use the issue to its own advantage, still RA and Diaspora will keep insisting on Genocide recognition. It's important to see Turkey's altered position, so that the issue could be calmly discussed," the President said, stressing that Protocols do not contain any mention of Kars agreement.
Serzh Sargsyan also noted that Protocols contain no preconditions on NKR issue. "Both we and MG OSCE Co-Chairs expressed opinions on the issue. Opposition' apprehensions are caused by Turkish and Azeri officials' statements. We surely support peaceful settlement of NKR issue. Still, we have to be ready for a war in case our attempts at peaceful settlement fail.
Many are of the opinion RA-Turkish rapprochement will threaten the unity of Diaspora's Armenian communities. I beg to disagree, as besides the issues of Genocide and return of the lost motherland, Diaspora remains true to the idea of Armenia's proliferation. We have to struggle to preserve the Diaspora. Our goal is to make our steps acceptable to the majority of Armenian population. I will visit Armenian communities across the globe to present my opinion and to hear out theirs. I will not convince Diaspora of anything," Armenian President concluded.
"I had doubts before inviting Turkey's President to Armenia. But now, the point is that the Protocols are not an agreement on capitulation or a strategic agreement on cooperation. We could not include our wishes in the protocols exclusively. Concerns can't disappear forever and I can't promise that all nuances were taken into account. We do not establish friendly relations with Turkey. We just create conditions to open dialogue with this country. If there are force opposing this dialogue I could understand them only in case they had held the same position five or ten years ago," President Sargsyan said.
"Opening the border, we open roads. Otherwise, there is no need to have the border open at all," he emphasized.
The President also disagreed with views about Turkish economic expansion. "I talked to our businessmen and they told me that Turkey is a market with 70 million people for them. As to demographic expansion, I would like to note that we can't resist this challenge by remaining in isolation," he said.
President Sargsyan also slammed the opinion that Armenia's economy is monopolized and economic ties with Turkey will not be beneficial.
"As to so-called 'pressure of the international community', I must say that making statements is not pressing. The same refers to Nagorno Karabakh problem. I would also like to say that I do not see any preconditions in the Protocols," he said.
Commenting on historical committee creation, Serzh Sargsyan emphasized that establishment of relations with Turkey will not hamper Armenian Genocide's international recognition process. 'Turkey could use the issue to its own advantage, still RA and Diaspora will keep insisting on Genocide recognition. It's important to see Turkey's altered position, so that the issue could be calmly discussed," the President said, stressing that Protocols do not contain any mention of Kars agreement.
Serzh Sargsyan also noted that Protocols contain no preconditions on NKR issue. "Both we and MG OSCE Co-Chairs expressed opinions on the issue. Opposition' apprehensions are caused by Turkish and Azeri officials' statements. We surely support peaceful settlement of NKR issue. Still, we have to be ready for a war in case our attempts at peaceful settlement fail.
Many are of the opinion RA-Turkish rapprochement will threaten the unity of Diaspora's Armenian communities. I beg to disagree, as besides the issues of Genocide and return of the lost motherland, Diaspora remains true to the idea of Armenia's proliferation. We have to struggle to preserve the Diaspora. Our goal is to make our steps acceptable to the majority of Armenian population. I will visit Armenian communities across the globe to present my opinion and to hear out theirs. I will not convince Diaspora of anything," Armenian President concluded.
