October 16, 2009 - 20:55 AMT
Ara Abrahamyan: Armenia mustn't engage in wishful thinking
"The thought of Armenia being "for" and Diaspora "against" RA-Turkish ties' normalization should be done away with," Russian Armenians' Union (RAU) President Ara Abrahamyan said at round table discussions in Yerevan. According to him, RA-Turkish rapprochement issue concerns the whole Armenian nation. "The rapprochement is a national security issue. We have to act in one direction," Ara Abrahamyan noted.

He gave high assessment to actions of RA President and Foreign Minister in RA-Turkish rapprochement issue, stating that Serzh Sargsyan's or Edward Nalbandian's patriotism is undoubted and despite the fact that the final conclusion has to be made by authorities, people must have a right to express themselves.

RAU President urged Armenian communities and RA authorities to unite in the interests of Armenia's security.

At the same time, Ara Abrahamyan noted that Armenia mustn't engage in wishful thinking.
"Turkey hasn't changed. We mustn't fool ourselves as to its intentions to open border and establish "neighborly" relations. Turkey already maintains such relations with Azerbaijan," Russian Armenians' Union President stated, adding that Armenia must not forget who she is dealing with.

Ara Abrahamyan did not preclude the possible scenario of Turkey's aiming to spread discord between Armenia and Diaspora.