Advancement of H. Res. 252 in US congress will possibly induce Ankara to make a step towards Protocols ratification, according to Turkologist Artak Shakaryan.

“In case resolution is put up for discussion at US Congress, Turkey can either ratify Protocols or adopt them at parliamentary committee level,” he told a news conference in Yerevan, noting that Turkey would find it easier to open the border with Armenia (which could be closed any moment), than to initiate diplomatic relations with Yerevan.

If resolution remains adopted at US House Foreign Affairs Committee level only, no progress in Protocols ratification is to be expected, the Turkologist stated. He emphasized the importance of RA Foreign Ministry –US Armenian Lobby collaboration to achieve advancement of H. Res. 252 in US Congress.

In his opinion, the possibility of resolution passage in 2010 is higher than it was in 2007, taking into consideration November 2010 Congress elections, where Congressmen will need the support of US Armenian community. Dwelling on Ankara’s policy in Genocide recognition issue, Artak Shakaryan disagreed with the necessity of inducing Turkey to recognize the Genocide. “Armenia must become a state Turkey would be interested to reconcile with,” he stressed.