Ankara links weapon purchases to April 24th

YEREVAN, 17 FEBRUARY, ARMENPRESS. Turkey is artificially extending the announcement of results of the weapon purchase tender, saying it’s due to the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Thus, Ankara is blackmailing the U.S., trying to engage the West in its dirty game. The Turkish authorities have declared that, taking into consideration the attitude of the U.S. and European countries to the events dedicated to the 100thanniversary of the Armenian Genocide, only after April 24thwill the official Ankara make a decision on the several billion-dollar transaction by which Turkey will obtain zenith-missile complexes for its anti-aircraft defense system, as the Turkish Hurriyet reports, according to “Armenpress”.

A high-ranking Turkish diplomat has also assured that the Turkish government also wants to see the U.S. and French position on the Armenian Genocide and that only after that will Turkey seal deals. Turkey announced a tender for the construction of anti-zenith systems in 2009. The Chinese CPMIEC won the tender in 2013, after which the Turkish government started being pressured by its Western allies. Afterwards, Turkey started negotiating with Western organizations. It is mentioned that the American Raytheon & Lockheed Martin Consortium and the European Eurosam Concern are the contenders.