ACCORDING TO STEPAN GRIGORIAN, IN RETURN FOR OPENING BORDER ARMENIA SHOULD PROPOSE TURKEY BECOMING OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRING COUNTRY
NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 16, 2009
YEREVAN
In return for opening the Armenian-Turkish border Armenia should
propose Turkey becoming OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing country. Political
scientist Stepan Grigorian, the Director of the Analytical Center for
Globalization and Regional Cooperation, stated at the April 16 press
conference. In his words, it is beneficial for the Armenian side,
because if Turkey becomes co-chairing country, Azerbaijan’s positions
in the region will weaken. In response to the question of what Turkey
should do in the Minsk Group S. Grigorian said: "Turkey can convince
Azerbaijan that conflicts are not solved without compromises."
Meanwhile S. Grigorian stated that we should separate the
Armenian-Turkish relations from the Nagorno Karabakh problem.
In response to the question of after opening the border how Armenia
should resist Turkish economic, cultural, and political possible
expansion S. Grigorian said that we should not underestimate Armenian
entrepreneurs’ talent and business skills. "I am convinced that
five years after opening the border Turkish government will adopt
a law to prevent invasion of Armenian traders to Kars market,"
S. Grigorian said.