“The sides are note ready for concessions”
President of the Political Developments Research Centre (PDRC), political scientist Vahan Dilanyan says it is too early to consider the Armenian-Turkish Protocols as failed.
"First of all we must clarify whether Turkey seeks to ratify the Protocols or not," says the political scientist. "I think that Turkey will not reopen the border for some reasons - to avoid the criticism of European countries, especially Germany and France, in connection with Turkey's ascension of the European Union chairmanship, Azerbaijan's envy and displeasure with Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, the problem of Kurds, etc. On the other hand, the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Turkey and Russia, alleviation of Kurdish burden can force Turkey to reopen the border with Armenia."
In reply to A1+'s question whether the border will be finally reopened, the PDRC President said: "Currently, Turkey has economic interests with the Russian Federation and the protraction of ratification is addressed against the West. That's to say Turkey intends to raise the price for ratification and may demand that Turkey's be engagement in the EU be facilitated or European countries display a milder approach towards human rights violations in Turkey."
Speaking about Armenian-Turkish relations and Karabakh conflict settlement the political scientist noted that the Protocols convey no preconditions.
"Turkish officials' statements linking the two processes arouse discontent and criticism of the international community. In their present form, the Protocols are harmless for Armenia," said Vahan Dilanyan.
"I don't expect a serious breakthrough in the forthcoming meeting of Presidents Serzh Sargsyan, Ilham Aliyev and Dmitri Medvedev. Neither of the conflicting sides is ready for concessions," added the political scientist excluding the possibly of a new war.
"Many laugh at Aliyev's bellicose statements in Azerbaijan," he said.
