It is wrong to link Turkish-Armenian normalization with Nagorno Karabakh conflict: EU special representative

“There is no 100-percent guarantee for ratification of the Turkish-Armenian protocols, but I am sure that it will be happen”, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said in his interview with Russian “Vremya Novostey” newspaper during his visit to Russia.

He said ratification of the protocols met interests of both countries.

“It is vital issue for Armenia and meets Turkey's interests as well. It is an example of Turkey’s new policy toward its neighbors. Of course, it is important for Turkey to take the Azerbaijan’s interests into consideration and to listen to reaction Azerbaijanis. Turkish-Armenian normalization will create new opportunities and positively impact security in the region," Semneby said.

Semneby noted that main protest against the protocols came from not Armenian citizens, but from Armenian Diaspora.

“The Armenian leadership should take the citizens’ interests into consideration and satisfy the Diaspora. I don’t expect public outbreak in Armenia, but it is a serious problem for the Armenian authorities because Diaspora plays important role in Armenia’s life and it has not unequivocal  attitude to the protocols”.

Semneby said it is wrong to link the Turkish-Armenian normalization with the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

“These are two different conflicts and it doesn’t need to link them with each other. Otherwise the doors opened for the normalization of the relations can be closed again. It is clearly seen that any considerable tension in one of these conflicts impact common atmosphere. There is a need to do so that these processes positively impact each other."

/APA/