YEREVAN. – European Commission’s critical report on Turkey first of all focuses on wrongful response of the authorities to Gezi protests, said senior researcher at Institute of Oriental Studies.

Vahram Ter-Matevosyan is convinced that six killed and 8,000 injured in the Gezi events have cast a shadow on the positive attitude of the report.

The report indicates Ankara’s failure to secure democracy and wrong perception of the essence of democracy in Turkey, he added.    

Ter-Matevosyan noted that Turkey was seriously criticized for the Cyprus issue and was warned that the EU talks will remain frozen until Turkish authorities recognize Cyprus and express willingness to establish relations.

“As to Armenia-Turkey protocols, it should be mentioned that if in 2000-2009 European Parliament’s reports clearly indicated that the border was closed, starting from 2010, unfortunately, the wording was removed,” he said.

The report mentions that “the protocols signed in 2009 to normalise relations with Armenia have still not been ratified.” The expert stressed that it was a neglect of the Armenian authorities and Foreign Ministry must focus on the issue.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am