Armenian-Turkish Relations Should Be Normalized Before 2015

ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED BEFORE 2015

18:07 15.04.2013

Armenia and Turkey should step up their efforts o normalize relations
before the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, otherwise
there will not be any progress on the issue, professor at the Oxford
University Neil MacFarlane said in an interview with “Regnum” agency.

He believes the rapprochement largely depends on the kind of events
to be organized in Armenia and the Diaspora to commemorate the tragic
anniversary.

“The process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols is
currently frozen. Taking into consideration the current situation,
Turkey will hardly ratify any document acceptable to the Armenian
side. Yerevan, in turn, will not sign under the preconditions posed
by Ankara,” the Professor said.

He said the protocols between the two countries could offer a chance
for normalizing ties on the upper levels whereas events to be organized
in lower circles could focus more on the practical aspect of relations
– air communication, visa issues, trading, strengthening of cultural
and academic ties etc. According to Neil MacFarlane, steps on the
lower level could prove more effective at this point.

http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/04/15/armenian-turkish-relations-should-be-normalized-before-2015/