Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is conditioned by progress in Karabakh peace process. Thus it is politically logical that the issue become dominant, Noravank foundation Director Gagik Harutyunyan told journalists on Thursday. According to him, despite Armenia’s attempts to separate these processes they are parts of one problem.

The expert deems that statements by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are evidence of that.

It would be difficult to speak of serious, full-scale relations with Turkey as long the Nagorno-Karabakh , problem remains unsolved, Harutyunyan said. On the other hand the peace process can last long enough.

“It is a long process and we should constantly negotiate until realistically thinking political figures appear in Azerbaijan and Turkey who would be able to realize that Karabakh conflict is already settled, while the point is to document the fact in conformity with international norms,” Harutyunyan stated.

“I see this tendency as Azerbaijan accepted the Madrid Principles. This, of course, is far from a final settlement of the conflict, but the Azerbaijani authorities have come to realize time is working against them,” the expert concluded.

A.G.