Only about one-third of Armenians support reconciliation with Turkey and the possible opening of the border between the two countries, a recent poll has found.
The poll, conducted by the Armenian Marketing Association (AMA), revealed that nearly 31 percent of respondents supported increased diplomatic, civil society and other contacts between Armenia and Turkey, the Armenian Service of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), reported on Monday. Nearly an identical percentage of those polled completely or largely opposed such contacts, with the remaining 40 percent either undecided or expressing no definite opinion.
Turkey and Armenia, which have had no formal links since 1993, signed protocols last year to restore their ties and open their mutual border. But the reconciliation process has come to a standstill after the two countries accused each other of modifying the text of the deals. It is not clear when the protocols will be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.
According to the AMA poll, reportedly the most comprehensive survey to date of Armenian public opinion about the rapprochement with Turkey, only 36 percent of respondents said the protocols signed in October are good for Armenia. Most others were either undecided or said the protocols favor only the Turkish side.
Asked whether the opening of the border would bring economic benefits to Armenia, 41 percent of those polled agreed, while another 36 percent were neutral on the topic or uncertain whether cross-border commerce with Turkey would bring economic benefits.
The nongovernmental group interviewed some 2,500 randomly chosen residents across the country in late January and February.
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