Armenia-Turkey relations shouldn't depend on third country's interests

PanARMENIAN.Net - Presidents and people of both Armenia and Turkey should take the opportunity provided by the FIFA draws to overcome the deadlock in bilateral relations, Armenian MP Armen Ashotyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.



"Bilateral relations should never depend on a third country's interests. Our position is unchangeable: we stand for dialog without preconditions. Establishment of relations will have a positive impact of social and economic life in both countries. Given the increasing tensions in the region, the Armenian-Turkish relations should transform from latent confrontation to dynamic development," he said.



In a sign of readiness to normalize ties, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan invited his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul to a World Cup qualifying match between Armenian and Turkish teams due on September 6. The invitation is likely to be accepted.



Turkey cut its diplomatic ties and closed its border with Armenia over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 1993.