Turks are afraid that U.S. President Barack Obama's April 24 statement will not be pleasant for them, said former chairman of the Armenian National Assembly.

"Assurances to open the border with Armenia and establish diplomatic relations pursue the only objective - to prevent Obama from using term Genocide," Tigran Torosyan told reporters on Thursday.

"If Ankara succeeds to dissuade U.S. from the Armenian Genocide recognition this year, U.S. will obtain an efficient tool of pressure on Turkey."

Mr. Torosyan also emphasized that Ankara has never made formal statements on establishment of relations with Armenia.