Official speech delivered by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in Cyprus contained serious and reasonable assessments of Turkey’s policy on Armenia and the region, Turkish studies expert Ruben Safrastyan said at today’s press conference.

“For the first time the Armenian leader describes Turkey’s policy as blackmail. It is a serious accusation,” the expert stressed, adding that issue on Turkey’s political blackmail has never been voiced at the presidential level.

The expert points out provisions of president’s speech referring to Armenia’s right to use Genocide issue as precondition while dealing with Turkey. However, the Armenian side has not taken such step as a gesture of goodwill.

Safratsyan considers that the Armenian-Turkish diplomacy has already reached deadlock, therefore Armenian leader’s tough statements will not affect the process.

“In establishing relations with Turkey Armenia has chosen dialogue, not preconditions,” the expert added.

Speaking at the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Serzh Sargsyan stressed that Turkey destroyed normalization with its inconsistent posture, contradictory statements, and baseless manipulation of the process which was initiated by Armenia’s offer.