"Turkey and Armenia achieved a lot of progress in the process of normalization but they made mistakes while they were signing the protocols, " Richard Giragosian, Director of Armenian Center for National And International Studies (ACNIS) said.
Journalists from Turkey who made a visit to Armenia within the frames of Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Program organized by International Hrant Dink Foundation, visited ACNIS. Speaking to journalists, Giragosian said that the relations between Turkey and Armenia develops day by day. "The relations between two countries have turned into a process that cannot easily come to an end. The relations can be continued unofficially. Borders can be opened and cultural relations can be established. There is an ongoing diplomacy between two countries continued behind closed doors and it will continue whole summer," said Giragosian.
Stating that Armenia acted impatiently and expected Turkey to make urgent steps, Giragosian said, "PKK and Cyprus issues are more important for Turkey while the protocols had priority for Armenian diplomacy. The fate of protocols depends on the domestic politics in Turkey."
Reminding the developments that took place after Israeli army raid against Turkish aid ship to Gaza, Giragosian said, "Turkey is the only country in the region that stands against Israel. If Turkey gains more strength, Armenia will become less important. The physical border between two countries remains closed while the mental border is opened. We have started to know about each other and we are learning about our mutual past. These are very important openings without anything else. It is important for people to open their minds before the physical borders are opened. Turkish government attaches so much importance on the diaspora while it does not understand it. Turkey has a secret card which it has never played before; a bridge between Yerevan and Istanbul. The same bridge exists also between Istanbul and diaspora Armenians. It is Turkey's Armenian community in Istanbul. For the first time in Turkish Republic's history, a Minister of National Education visited the minority school belonging to Armenians. Turkey may use Armenian community more efficiently."
Historyoftruth.com
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