Our party will oppose RA-Turkey rapprochement until Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, Gnchak Social Democratic Party representative Vahan Shirkhanyan told a news conference in Yerevan. According him, besides damaging relations with Diaspora, RA-Turkey agreement conclusion will have a negative effect on RA-RF and RA -Iran relations, as a new process will launch after Protocols’ ratification. Vahan Shirkhanyan also reminded of USA’s repeatedly expressing intention to alienate Armenia from the countries specified. “Yerevan had 4 aces: Diaspora, Armenian Genocide, Russian base and Karabakh. We’d have the game in our hands should we have used them well,” RA Social Democratic Party representative noted, adding that by signing protocols Yerevan has lost 3 out of 4 aces.
In his turn, ruling RA Republican Party representative Hamlet Harutyunyan stated that Protocols pose no threat. “Establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkey is the first step towards lifting the blockade the country is under,” Hamlet Harutyunyan noted. According to him, protocols aren’t linked to either Armenian Genocide or NKR conflict. The country should not be permanently put in wait condition instead of moving on. “Should Turkey’s non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide within the next 100 years spell RA’s refusal to establish diplomatic relations? Arabian-Israeli border opens on and off, still, this doesn’t prevent the states from maintaining diplomatic relations,” Hamlet Harutyunyan emphasized.
