Armenia, Turkey reached the moment of truth

PanARMENIAN.Net - There have been doubts growing about Turkey's sincere wish to normalize relations with Armenia, a Russian expert said.



"Turkey could use the talks to gain political dividends from the West. Now, it's the moment of truth for the two neighboring countries," Mikhail Alexandrov, head of Caucasus department at the Institute of CIS Studies, told PanARMENIAN.Net



"There are two variants: either Turkey wanted to weaken the worldwide campaign for recognition of the Armenian Genocide or it really wanted to normalize relations. At that, presence of Turkish President Abdullah Gul at the football match in Yerevan last year was a serious diplomatic move," he said.



According to Mr. Alexandrov, if Turkey doesn't take action to improve relations with Armenia, it will cast doubt on its intensions. "In this case, Armenia will have to suspend talks and resume efforts for Genocide recognition," he said.



In a joint press conference with Serbian Minister Boris Tadic, Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan said he will attend the return match between the Armenian and Turkish football teams in Bursa only if the border is open or on the threshold of lifting the blockade.