Armenia-Turkey Protocols are unlikely to be ratified till April 24 – 95th anniversary of 1915 events, leader of Turkish Liberal Democratic Party Cem Toker told journalists in Yerevan today.

He stressed that as was expected, Turkish government directly linked Armenia-Turkey reconciliation with Karabakh peace process. Besides, official Ankara uses RA Constitutional Court judgment that excludes any possibility for Yerevan to renounce Armenian Genocide. “I think that linkage of two processes is unadvisable. If Turkey settles relations with Armenia, it will have more leverage to pressurize Baku and Yerevan on Karabakh issue. However, Ankara has already linked these processes and reverse is impossible. Presently we can assert that the Protocols are frozen,” Toker stated.

Turkish politician considers attempts of great powers to artificially accelerate the reconciliation process incorrect. Toker believes it is crucial to break stereotypes between the nations and intensify dialogue between civil societies’ members. “This is how the real normalization might be achieved. Turks and Armenians must initiate dialogue on their own, whereas the pressure by world powers only impedes the process. Our people live side by side for already 700 years and current level of relations is unacceptable,” he concluded.

A.G.