Official Ankara keeps setting direct and indirect preconditions to Yerevan, an expert at Noravank Research Center, turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said at today's news conference.

"After the start of football diplomacy, Armenian-Turkish negotiations reached a certain point. Today, Turkey is seriously concerned about possibility of Armenian-Turkish border opening and establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia. A moment came when everyone thought Turkey withdrew preconditions. Yet, these preconditions are still on Armenian-Turkish relations agenda," the turkologist noted.


According to him, NKR conflict will remain a precondition while Turkey acts as a big brother to Baku. "Besides NKR conflict and Armenian Genocide recognition issues set as preconditions, Ankara demands Armenia to recognize Kars agreement. This precondition is a priority on Turkey's list. Territorial issue is one of the most vulnerable ones for Turkey. Turkey demands recognition of Kars agreement, although Turkey itself has violated some of its provisions," Ruben Melkonayn added.