November 29, 2012 - 20:00 AMT
Expert: Kurdish issue, polls, not ties with Armenia on Turkey's priority list

Annual international forum titled “Dynamics of regional security in South Caucasus” organized by the Institute for National Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and Political Science Association of Armenia, kicked off in Yerevan Nov 29, with rector of Kadir Has University (KHU) Prof. Mustafa Aydın representing Turkey.

As Mr. Aydın noted at the event, no progress is seen in Armenian-Turkish ties, with the issue not even included on Ankara’s agenda.

Mr. Aydın cited recent developments in Near East behind the fact, with Turkey currently focused on solving internal issues. “Prime Minister Erdogan aiming to enter 2014 presidential race, constitutional changes are now in progress, with Kurdish issue also left among those unresolved,” he said.

The event also featured former co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir Kazimirov who prepared a report on alternative routes of Karabakh conflict settlement.

The adviser to Defense Miniser, Hayk Kotanjyan hailed the academic format of the event allowing to voice alternative views on solutions of problems.