There will be no progress in Armenian-Turkish relations before the parliamentary elections in Turkey, according to Sabine Freizer, the Istanbul-based Director of the Europe Program of the International Crisis Group (ICG).

“The Turkish government wants to prevent nationalistic parties from fiercely opposing the normalization of relations with Armenia during their election campaign,” Freizer said.

“Meanwhile, contacts between Armenian and Turkish businessmen, journalists and youth representatives are going on,” she added.

“Although, Turkey continues to keep the border with Armenia closed, contacts between civil societies should not stop. Improvement of relations between the two nations can promote peace and stability in the region,” Trend quoted Freizer as saying.