Eurasia Press & News
TURKEY
Turkey’s opposition parties on Tuesday criticized the government’s move to start talks on establishing diplomatic ties with the country’s long-time foe Armenia for making unilateral concession.
Armenia has not changed its policy enough or implemented necessary preconditions to allow a reconciliation with Turkey, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News quoted Republican People’s Party (CHP) Vice President Onur Oymen as saying. “Armenia has promised nothing in response to this protocol and so what Turkey does will be a one-sided concession,” he said.
Deputy Deniz Bolukbasi of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said the content of the protocols do not meet Turkey’s expectations as Armenia neither promises to withdraw from Nagorno-Karabakh, the age-long disputed land, nor pledges to resolve problems with Turkey.
A joint statement issued by Turkey, Armenia and mediator Switzerland on Monday said two protocols will be inked after six weeks of “internal political consultations” to establish diplomatic ties and enhance bilateral relations with Armenia.
Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia declared its independence in 1991.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 to support Azerbaijan during its conflict with Armenia over the Upper Karabakh region and has said the border could be opened only after the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the disputed land.
