By persuading Serzh Sargsyan to agree to the formation of an Armenian-Turkish commission of historians, Turkey was able to effectively avert the threat of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States and postpone the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border – at least until appreciable process in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process is made, the Opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan stated at rally of supporters in Yerevan.So, he said, Armenia will not be able to take any steps in the Turkey-related process as long as the Nagorno-Karabakh problem remains unsettled.

“Serzh Sargsyan’s visit to Turkey does not matter any more, as he has made all the possible mistakes in the Armenian-Turkish relations – especially in that the fact of the Armenian Genocide is being challenged and turned into ‘a bargain.’ So neither visiting nor refusing to visit Turkey will save the situation,” Ter-Petrosyan said.

He also commented on the Armenian President’s statement that he will go to Turkey provided the border has been opened. “That ultimatum-like statement throws light on two facts: first, Turkey promised Serzh Sargsya to reopen the border in exchange for his signing what is known as a ‘roadmap’ on April 22; second, Sargsyan feels offended because the Turks did not keep their promise. Nevertheless, that statement must not be considered an ultimatum, as Sargsyan considered it necessary to add that he was ready to visit Turkey if the reopening was ‘on the threshold’. So be blabbed out that the decision to visit Turkey had been made, as the ‘threshold’ is a loose concept,” Ter-Petrosyan said.

He stressed that “Turkey will not ratify the Protocols nor reopen the border even if Serzh Sargsyan renounced the demand for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, as long as the Nagorno-Karabakh problem remains unsettled. As regards the ANC’s recent statement, I have to remind you that, over the last two years, we have repeatedly warned about all that the other political forces are making a hubbub about. But no one took notice of our warnings. We said what we said at the right time in contrast to others, who have been waiting for the outcome to raise a clamor,” Ter-Petrosyan said. He expressed fears that Nagorno-Karabakh will meet the same fate. “One fine day they will open their eyes to see everything finished and all documents signed,” the ANC leader said.