President's visit to Turkey marked the end of first stage of RA-Turkish process

PanARMENIAN.Net - RA President's visit to Turkey marked the end of the first and beginning of the second stage of Armenian-Turkish process. The first stage was crowned by the signature of bilateral Protocols pending ratification at the second stage, NAS Oriental Studies Institute Director Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference in Yerevan. "The second stage is going to be as difficult, but it's hard to say how long it will last," he finds.



Turkey, in his view, agreed to sign Protocols considering several factors. "First, Ankara wishes to prevent U.S. Congress from moving forward with Armenian Genocide Resolution. Secondly, Turkey strategically strives for EU membership whereas a close border with Armenia does not pave way towards EU. And thirdly, Turkey seeks to acquire a new image in the region, by becoming a transit center of energy resources," Armenian expert said.