YEREVAN. – No secret, or non-secret—neither direct, nor mediated—talks are underway today with Turkey, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian stated during his interview with television stations.    

In response to the question as to whether the French Senate’s passing of the bill that criminalizes the denial of genocides, including the Armenian Genocide, would push Turkey to further toughen its position in regard to the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Nalbandian said: “No secret, or non-secret—neither direct, nor mediated—talks are underway today with Turkey. This will be possible when Turkey becomes ready for some practical steps. This policy of it [Turkey] has no prospects. Turkey cannot permanently close borders, forever engage in denialism, and sign agreements and not respect them. The most important principle in diplomacy and international relations is the precept of pacta sunt servanda: the signed, [and] reached agreements must be honored. And in terms of Turkey’s pretentious statements, you know, when there are no proofs, when you have nothing to say, they certainly make uproar.”  

To the query as to whether Armenia’s partners perceive that Turkey does not honor those arrangements, Armenian FM responded: “If that were not the case, the representatives of key countries would not have said the ball is in the Turkish court.” 

And with respect to the Armenian-Turkish protocols’ critics’ arguments that if these protocols are not ratified, the Armenian-Turkish relations would deteriorate further, Armenian Genocide’s international recognition would stop, and Turkey would have a more active role in the Karabakh issue, Armenia’s FM said: “These types of arguments do not withstand any criticism.”