If Turkish side keeps laying down preconditions and state that border opening is impossible without Karabakh conflict settlement, RA President Serzh Sargsyan will not go to Turkey for October 14 football match. Republican Party Press Secretary Edward Sharmazanov told NEWS.am, adding “President clearly stated in which event he will go. His position is precise and principled.”

Commenting on RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan’s statement that “Attempting to link Armenian-Turkish and Karabakhi processes, Turkey might fail both” Sharmazanov said: “Minister’s statement is logical, as Armenian side have always stated on various levels that Armenian-Turkish rapprochement cannot be directly linked with Karabakh peace process. Saying there are no preconditions in the Protocols, we mean the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement cannot be linked with any other process, and any attempt in doing so conflicts the documents.”

MP also touched upon yesterday’s statement by Turkish Premier Erdogan, that “Border will not be opened without Karabakh conflict settlement”, emphasizing: “Establishment of the relations based on preconditions is unacceptable to us. Any ultimatum is inapplicable for Armenia. If Erdogan intends to present an ultimatum, he better do so to his friends — Azeris and explain them that Nagorno-Karabakh will never be within Azerbaijan boundaries.”