Armenian-Turkish protocols do not certainly contain implicit preconditions, but as a matter of fact things are just the other way about, Milliyet columnist Kadri Gurcel said. “As Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in Baku, Protocols will not be ratified unless there is progress in Karabakh peace talks. This is Turkish authorities’ position which is not subject to change,” Turkish journalist told a news conference in Yerevan.
At that, he noted hat absence of direct hints at Kharabakh peace process testifies to the possibility of Turkey’s linking NK conflict settlement with Armenian-Turkish normalization. “Had Turkey been aware that rapprochement with Armenia would lead to Azerbaijan’s unprecedented counteraction, it would have probably introduced a clause concerning Karabakh,” Milliyet journalist said, adding that Azerbaijan’s pressures on Turkey were more intensive compared to internal pressures inside the country.
He noted in the meantime that Ankara had never before been so determined about normalizing ties with Armenia. “I believe Protocols will be eventually ratified, and Turkey has already made a relevant decision. Ankara has probably notified third countries about it,” Gurcel said in conclusion.
