Turkish diplomat advises Armenia “to learn sense”

Turkey is not pessimistic about democrats’ gaining majority in the Congress, stated Sukru Elekdag, former head of Foreign Ministry Executive Office, Deputy of CHP (Republic and People Party), and former Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. “Turkish parliamentarians should visit the U.S. and establish relations with Democrats. We will meet with them to explain how the Armenian Genocide resolution will damage relations with Turkey,” he said. The former diplomat noted that the Turkish government and Foreign Ministry have a mistake on one point. “They used to say Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. is strong and it supports all bills. But this is not so. After Armenia became independent, it’s Yerevan that governs the country’s foreign policy, and Armenian ambassador to the U.S. directs everything. Therefore we should review our policy on Armenia. We have changed our policy towards Armenia at the request of the U.S. and European Union… Turkey should exert pressures on Armenia. First, it should stop these flights, ban indirect trade and deport 70,000 Armenians from the country. Armenia should bear in mind that they will get response policy in any case of its attempt,” Shukru Elekdag said.