June 19, 2009 - 15:35 AMT
Armenia's safety must not be sacrificed to Armenian -Turkish relations
RA National Security should not be sacrificed to Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, politologist Yervand Bozoyan told a news conference. "As compared to Yerevan, Ankara had much to gain from Armenian-Turkish dialogue: pressure leverage in NKR conflict settlement and a chance to significantly weaken Armenian Genocide's international recognition process. Besides, opening of Armenian-Turkish border became just technical issue in Turkey's negotiations to achieve EU partnership," the politologist noted.

According to him, Armenian Turkish negotiations served as a favorable ground for Turkey to apply pressure on MG OCSE Co-Chairs, which, in their turn, pressed Yerevan and Baku for NKR conflict settlement. "NKR conflict will not be settled in nearest future. Baku holds a firm position in this issue, and MG OCSE CO-Chairs can't persuade it to compromise. There's only one thing left - to apply pressure on Armenia for it to make concessions," Bozoyan emphasized, adding that Armenia has gained nothing in Armenian-Turkish negotiations, rather, it is on the verge of losing is positions.

The politologist noted that Yerevan was the initiator of Armenian-Turkish show and there's time until October to abandon it. "I believe that not only Turkey's but international pressure upon RA president will strengthen. Turkey will do its best for Serzh Sargsyan to visit the country during Armenia -Turkey return football match. Armenia has to stop negotiations with Turkey as soon as possible," Ervan Bozoyan stated.

Turkey-Armenia World Championship 2010 qualifying match is due on October 14 in Kayseri.