Giro Manoyan, the head of the ARF Armenian Cause’s political affairs office, presented his observations at the “Pastark” press club ahead of April 24. “Who says now is the right time to start negotiations with Turkey? It is clear that these authorities, with the various outside forces standing on different platforms, which we now see, seem to be implicitly agreeing to stifle and bring Armenia to its knees as much as they can. And as much as there is an opportunity, as much as possible, to snatch from Armenia, end this story, and reduce a headache from the South Caucasus in general or from Armenia-Turkey relations. We hear this from the north, from the west. It is clear that they want to do it in their own interests, but in any case it is not in our interests. That is why it is not the time to normalize relations with Turkey, especially since it is being put forward on false grounds.
We remember how Nikol suddenly started to see, feel, and hear positive signals from Turkey in the fall when there were no such positive signals. And the other side said that they also hears positive signals from Yerevan. What positive signals is Pashinyan talking about that we still do not understand? They combine everything. Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan, the denial of the genocide continue, they try to isolate Armenia altogether. It is necessary to understand what Turkey’s goal is in connection with Armenia. The attitude of the Alexandropol Treaty to the present day has not changed in Turkish political thinking. Turkey does not imagine an Armenian state next to it that does not depend on it. So, it will do everything to make Armenia a dependent state. Does it have the opportunity to do it now. Will Turkey do it now? Yes, they will say that they started diplomatic and economic relations. And just as, for example, they made Georgia completely dependent on them and Azerbaijan, they will do it to Armenia, too.”
Ashot HAKOBYAN
