“If there are no relations, to say that they might be more negative, means that you should pass to a more negative relations from zero relations”, such opinion was expressed by the Director of the Armenian faculty of CIS Institute, also political scientist, Alexander Markarov, to the question of Aravot.am of whether he agrees that the former Turkish President, Abdullah Gül, was a more tolerant figure in contrast to the newly appointed President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, consequently, negative developments are expected in the Armenian-Turkish relations. He considered absurd and extreme showing a more negative relationship in zero relationships, and detailed, “If we are talking about Erdoğan-Davutoğlu tandem, which is in the process of formation in Turkey today, then these two figures were the architect of the policy, which Turkey was conducting in the last 5-7 years, which shows in the Armenian-Turkish relations that the Armenian side, being ready to start building relationship, was absolutely not accepted. And the relevant processes that began in Switzerland, led to the fact that today, the Turkish side shows the world that the policy that they have proclaimed, zero problem with the neighbors, has resulted in zero neighbor, without the policy matter.”
According to Alexander Markarov, prerequisites and political messages are necessary for changes, but the only message voiced Turkish side was the April message, in which no change of standpoint is observed. The fact that the RA Foreign Minister, Edward Nalbandyan, will attend the Turkish President’s inauguration ceremony, Mr. Markarov believes that it would enable to understand whether there are changes in trends, and perspective for constructive relations. There are opinions that given Erdoğan’s character and unpredictability, it is possible for him to visit Armenian on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and go to the Genocide Memorial. In this respect, Alexander Markarov said, “So far, I am not sure that Erdoğan will come to Armenia.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
