By signing the Armenian-Turkish Protocols Armenia is not forming “ties of relationship” with Turkey. Rather, Armenia is only trying to create a tolerable atmosphere for further cooperation, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated at his meeting with members of the RA Public Council.

“Yes, the public has doubts about the Armenian-Turkish protocols, which is quite natural. Everyone may have doubts about any issue. I, too, had doubts when I was inviting Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevgan, and when I was fighting on the frontline for Karabakh. Did not we have any doubts when we were voting for independence? And if anyone thinks the Armenian-Turkish protocols are documents designed to make wishes come true, then –” the President said. Sargsyan regards as unfounded the fears that Turkey may spell out the protocols in its favor. “If Turkey can, we can as well. Has anyone seen a 5-6-point international document that would not allow of various comments?” the President asked. Sargsyan stressed he does not claim all the nuances were considered in preparing the documents, that better results were impossible or a better document can be compiled some time. “No computer in the world can forecast all the consequences of Armenian-Turkish relations. I just say we cannot live on like this, we must speak. I respect the forces holding a different opinion now, just as they did 10-15 years ago, but not the ones that stated one thing 15 years ago, whereas they are stating different things now, thereby trying to cash in on the people’s feelings and reap dividends,” the President said.

As regards fears of economic and geographic expansion on Turkey’s part if the Armenian-Turkish border is reopened, Serzh Sargsyan does not share them. “Moreover, I have talked to many experts and economists. They believe that an open order will open up ampler opportunities for Armenian producers than for Turkish producers – the Armenian market serves three million people, the Turkish market 70 million, which is almost 23 times as much. If, under the circumstances, Turkish businessmen gain an advantage over Armenian businessmen, they deserve it. We are in constant fear of the penetration of cheap Turkish products into out market. One gets the impression we do not want to see cheap goods on our markets,” the Armenian President said. Sargsyan expressed surprise at the fact why nobody has ever voiced fears of Iranian economic expansion. As regards demographic expansion, Sargsyan said that it can only be prevented provided all necessary conditions for a demographic boom are created in Armenia.

The Armenian leader also addressed the regularly voiced fears about preconditions allegedly contained in the Armenian-Turkish protocols. He stated that the documents do not contain any preconditions. “Of course, the documents have some points that are the result of compromise. However, discontent would be expressed even if they were not there. Even if the protocols resembled a capitulation [of Turkey], discontent would be expressed in any case,” Sargsyan said. Commenting on the statements that the Armenian-Turkish dialogue was the result of external pressure, the Armenian President stated that no pressure has ever been exerted. “Nobody forced me to invite the Turkish President to Yerevan nor did anyone force us to sit down at negotiating table with Turkey. If anyone thinks it is only Turks that need all this, they are mistaken,” the President said.

He once more stressed that establishing relations with Turkey does not at all mean consigning the Armenian Genocide to oblivion. “During this year I have said it hundreds of times. What else shall I do for you to believe? Write it in capitals on a poster and put it up somewhere like a slogan of Soviet times?” Even if the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide slows down, it will not be the result of the signing of the protocols. Rather, some forces discontented with the documents, will stop exerting necessary efforts. “Of course, I do not claim the Armenian-Turkish protocols, if signed, will facilitate the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, all those denying the Genocide will refer to the documents and say the Armenian-Turkish dialogue must be finished before. This means we must show even a greater degree of persistence even to greater degree, exert even greater efforts toward the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. If the Armenian communities in a number of countries have to make some more efforts toward the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and for the sake of the Homeland’s steady progress, let them do so,” Sargsyan said. If the Turks were sure that by admitting the Armenian Genocide they would “put an end” to the Armenian communities worldwide, they would do that, Sargsyan said. According to the Armenian leader, even if the signing of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols slows down the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, it will intensify debates over the issue inside Turkey.

“What is more important for us – the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by a country or, for instance, Turkey’s abrogating the law providing for criminal responsibility for using the term ‘genocide’?” Sargsyan asked. He does not rule out that Turks will try to get the issues of the Armenian Genocide discussed by the scientific subcommittee. However, the Armenian scholars to be involved in it must be able to decisively repel their Turkish counterparts’ attempts, and advance convincing counterarguments, Sargsyan said. “Any process has its cost, and I am ready to ‘pay the bill’,” the Armenian leader said. If Turkey tries to make use of the documents in its own interests, Armenia will do the same. “Any country has its potential, and Armenia has sufficient potential to negotiate with Turkey. What are we afraid of? Aren’t we able to negotiate with Turkey? How then are we able to negotiate with superpowers?” the President asked.

As regards the alleged link between the Armenian-Turkish protocols and the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Sargsyan said: “When I am alone, I heartily laugh at the accusations against me concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. People who were not even in Armenia during the fights for Karabakh are accusing me – people who were afraid of going out lest they be called up. Who are they defending Karabakh from? From me? Why should I make any concessions on Karabakh? If agreements, at least an indirect way, mention the borders and the Armenian Genocide, they do not contain a single hint at Nagorno-Karabakh. Of course, Turks can state the necessity for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict simultaneously with the Armenian-Turkish normalization process — it is nothing, but their wish. We, as well as the international community, have repeatedly stated that the Nagorno-Karabakh problem has nothing in common with the Armenian-Turkish relations. Why are they trusted, not we? I think that the talks about any link between the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and the Armenian-Turkish protocols will not be taken seriously after the OSCE Minsk Group issues a relevant statement,” President Sargsyan said. He stressed that the problem must be solved, and the solution must contain the de facto status of Nagorno-Karabakh over the last 21 years, ensure the country’s peaceful and steady development. “If a solution fails to be found, we will again stand up for Nagorno-Karabakh’s interests, and the people accusing me of betraying these very interests will run to hide at their homes not to get caught by military registration officers,” President Sargsyan stated.