Directly or indirectly, Turkey keeps setting preconditions to ArmeniaJune 11, 2009 - 16:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Official Ankara keeps setting direct and indirect preconditions to Yerevan, an expert at Noravank Research Center, turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said at today's news conference. "After the start of football diplomacy, Armenian-Turkish negotiations reached a certain point. Today, Turkey is seriously concerned about possibility of Armenian-Turkish border opening and establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia. A moment came when everyone thought Turkey withdrew preconditions. Yet, these preconditions are still on Armenian-Turkish relations agenda," the turkologist noted. According to him, NKR conflict will remain a precondition while Turkey acts as a big brother to Baku. "Besides NKR conflict and Armenian Genocide recognition issues set as preconditions, Ankara demands Armenia to recognize Kars agreement. This precondition is a priority on Turkey's list. Territorial issue is one of the most vulnerable ones for Turkey. Turkey demands recognition of Kars agreement, although Turkey itself has violated some of its provisions," Ruben Melkonayn added. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |