Yerevan objects to tying normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations to Karabakh settlement process
YEREVAN. Feb 14 (Interfax) - The normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey cannot be tied to the process of settling the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a high-ranking source with the Armenian Foreign Ministry told Interfax.
"Armenia adheres to a principled position that the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relationship cannot be tied to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It is with this very conviction that we started the process of normalization of our relations with Turkey, and it is with this conviction and mutual understanding that we conducted the negotiations and signed protocols," the source said.
"As for the Turkish prime minister's absurd proposal, this is obvious progress for him, as earlier his request concerned two districts. Perhaps it won't take him long to realize that the Karabakh settlement process cannot be tied to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations," he said.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had said at an earlier meeting with leaders of non-Muslim religious and secular organizations in Ankara that Turkey could open its border with Armenia if the latter returned at least one district to Azerbaijan.