Turkish expert: "Armenia could have withdrawn its troops from seven regions of Azerbaijan for Turkey to open the borders immediately"

The due announcement was made by professor Mustafa Aydin, chief of department for international relations of the University of Economy and Technologies in Ankara.

"The Presidential elections in Armenia on February 19 give hope for normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. At least, thus is considered in Turkey and proven by intentions of the new President of Armenia Serzh Sarkissyan.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry considers that Armenian diplomacy is too "Soviet", old-fashioned and clumsy. Our diplomacy is more of a western pattern, which stipulates for joint steps. Restoration of the St.Cross church in Akhtamar on the Van lake is a serious step of the Turkish government and we expect Armenia to make response steps", noted the Turkish professor.

He considers that one of such steps may become softening of Armenia's position in the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "Ankara is well aware that too much is left to the resolution of the conflict, but Armenia could have withdrawn its troops from seven regions of Azerbaijan. In this case Turkey would have opened the border, closed in 1993. Nevertheless, I am sure that relations between Armenia and Turkey would normalize soon", said Mustafa Aydin.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/