YEREVAN. – Official Yerevan should treat the strengthening of Russian-Turkish relations with caution, Armenian turkologist Artak Shakaryan stated at a press conference on Monday.

Shakaryan commented on Turkey’s decision to increase its Russian fuel imports from the South Stream gas pipeline that runs under the Black Sea.     

In his words, Armenia has a bitter historical memory of the consequences of strengthening partnership relations between Moscow and Ankara.

“And today it is very important to see to it that the next anti-Armenian steps are not taken as a result of the Russian-Turkish cooperation,” the turkologist added.

As per the analyst, however, Russian-Turkish relations are not limited to natural gas trade. He also drew attention to the fact that official Moscow and Ankara have signed a cooperation agreement on the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

“So, the Armenian authorities need to demonstrate a greater flexibility, and put on the agenda of discussions with Moscow all the matters that pose an immediate threat to the security of the republic,” Artak Shakaryan concluded.    

For his part, economist Karlen Khachatryan stressed that as a result of their new steps to purchase gas, the Turkish authorities are attempting to safeguard the country’s economy from the possible consequences of the suspension of natural gas supply via overland gas pipelines.

According to Khachatryan, at the same time, and on the account of new agreements, official Ankara is trying to lower the price of imported gas.