August 28, 2009

ACNIS DIRECTOR RICHARD GIRAGOSIAN’S INTERVIEW WITH THE AZERBAIJANI “TODAY.AZ” NEWS AGENCY

On August 28, the Baku-based Azerbaijani “Today.Az” News Agency published an interview with ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian. The brief interview, published in English and Russian, warned of “growing resentment and frustration” in Armenia over “an unwillingness or insincerity among the Turkish leadership for truly carrying forward the process of normalization and forging a new relationship with Armenia.”

Today.Az » Politics » There is growing resentment and frustration in Armenia: Armenian expert
 
28 August 2009 - Today.Az
 
Armenian expert and Director of Armenian Center for National and International Studies Richard Giragosian commented on a recent statement by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan that he will not visit Turkey until Turkey-Armenia border is reopened.

"This statement reflects Armenia’s growing resentment and frustration over what seems to be either an unwillingness or insincerity among the Turkish leadership for truly carrying forward the process of normalization and forging a new relationship with Armenia," the expert said.

The expert said it seems likely that the Armenian president will travel to Turkey in October.

"Any last minute attempt to link the Turkish-Armenian issue to the Karabagh conflict would be both a strategic mistake and an affirmation of those who have always doubted Turkey’s desire to normalize relations with Armenia," he added.

"The two issues are separate and have no direct link and the Karabagh conflict can not be, and should not be, any sort of precondition by the Turkish side," he said.

"If Turkey decides to reopen the border with Armenia and to extend diplomatic relations with Armenia, such moves should not be misinterpreted as any kind of gift or reward to Armenia," Giragosian said.

/Day.Az/

http://www.today.az/news/politics/55092.html

http://day.az/news/armenia/169966.html (in Russian)

The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.  As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge. Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Over the past fifteen years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of national and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax (37410) 52-48-46; email root@acnis.am or info@acnis.am; or visit www.acnis.am.