Ambassador of Turkey in Russia: Diplomatic relations with Armenia should be restored but on par with the settlement of the problem of Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations

According to him, the problems between Turkey and Armenia are not only the closed borders. "There are relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, about which we say that we are one nation and two states", said Akinci.

In addition, he said, there is a difference in the interpretation of some events in history.

"Turkey has recently conducted such a policy of eliminating problems with neighbors and Turkey has made much efforts in this direction. For example, air flights are carried from Armenia to Istanbul. The land border is closed, but the air communication is open.

On the other hand, look what Armenia is doing. Diplomatic relations should be restored, but on par with the settlement of the problems of Karabakh and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations", said the ambassador.

"Turkey has demonstrated good will  and last year our president went to Yerevan for a football match as a spectator. We are realists in this matter and we hold the optimal policy towards Armenia. But Armenia should understand that it must also take some steps. We wish sincerely that the borders in the Caucasus were open and all were friends to each others", noted the diplomat.

The Ambassador also recalled that after the August events of last year, when the clash between Russia and Georgia occurred, Turkey proposed the initiative a platform of stability and cooperation in the Caucasus.

/Novosti-Armenia/