Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman commented on recent media reports alleging Moscow’s mediation in Armenia-Turkey negotiations.

“There’s no need in resuming negotiations to normalize Armenia-Turkey relations, regardless of their format,” Tigran Balayan said. “To normalize ties, Protocols signed by both parties should be ratified without preconditions. This is both Armenia’s and international community’s position.”

According to earlier media reports, Deputy Foreign Ministers of Russia and Turkey discussed possibility of a meeting between Armenian and Turkish diplomats. Media sources said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin was in Yerevan lately to discuss the issue with the Armenian side. The same reason is believed to be behind U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg’s visit to Armenia.