Kiro Manoyan: Yerevan, Ankara can agree on opening of border this year

PanARMENIAN.Net - ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau's Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Director Kiro Manoyan said Armenia and Turkey may sign an agreement on opening of the common border in 2009.



"Judging by recent publications in Turkish media and statements by Turkish officials, agreement is quite possible. Moreover, President Abdullah Gul himself said that there are some technical issues to be settled," Mr Manoyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.



"After the Armenian-Russian clashes in August 2008, Ankara has come to understand that it can't show its worth in the region without normalization of relations with Yerevan. Nevertheless, no agreement will be signed before April 24. Ankara is awaiting U.S. President Barack Obama's annual statement," he said.



Mr. Manoyan said he is hopeful that Armenia will never sign any document which questions the fact of the Armenian Genocide.



"We should also keep in mind that the Armenian economy is unable to withstand the flow of Turkish goods yet," he said.