Time will unmask the actors
The leader of the parliamentary faction ARF-Dashnaktsutyun, Vahan Hovhannisyan doesn't hold an unequivocal approach towards Armenian-Turkish relations. He says we should first find out how sincere Azerbaijan is in these relations. "Time will unmask the actors."
"Demonstrations are staged in Turkey. People protest the frontier opening, especially in the territory of Western Armenia. Their sincerity is also disputed.
The reality is as follows. I think those hysteric actions by Azeris and Turks have been agreed upon. I don't think any demonstration is held in those places without a sanction."
Vahan Hovhannisyan says the "performances" staged in Turkey aim to "make the West and international structures persuade Armenia to accept certain preconditions. "They will be bound to us as the only clue for the normalisation of Armenian-Turkish relations."
The ARF Leader rules out any precondition in Armenian-Turkish relations.
"Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev doesn't fully realise the country's interest in Armenian-Turkish relations. Azerbaijan seems to be interested in keeping Karabakh. It doesn't want to cede the territory. In fact, Azerbaijan should be interested in the peaceful regulation of the Karabakh conflict and concessions of the Armenian side. Yet, Aliyev stands firm to his stance even in pursuit of wrong national interests".
Mr. Hovhannisyan also spoke about the sequel of the border opening. "In some 20 days we shall issue a brief report, rather say an analysis, on the consequences, largely on economic ones."
It is due to mention that Azerbaijan has set three demands before Turkey. In case the demands are met, Azerbaijan will agree to the frontier opening. According to Azeri mass media, all the three demands are closely connected with Nagorno Karabakh.
Firstly, Armenia must withdraw its troops from the five territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh. Secondly, Armenia must surrender the southern part of Lachin corridor. And finally, Turkey must be given a chance to use the corridor," say Azeri media.
Once Turkey uses the corridor, Azerbaijan will have a land route to Turkey.
