Armenian political analyst: Gul’s visit to Switzerland cannot have impact on resuming Armenian-Turkish process

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: The state visit of the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul to Switzerland cannot have any impact on resuming the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, head of the voskanapat.info center, political analyst Levon Melik-Shahnazaryan said speaking to Armenpress, adding that Switzerland has always come forth as a platform of reconciliation and not the main reconciler.

At the invitation of the President of Switzerland Abdullah Gul is leaving for Bern and it is the first state visit to Switzerland in Turkey’s history. “The visit of the Turkish president is not guided with the participation of the USA delegation, Minsk Group co-chairs or any other broker, which means that this visit is connected with these two states,” Melik-Shahnazaryan explained.

President of Switzerland Doris Leuthard in an interview to a Turkish newspaper weeks ago noted that the protocols signed a year ago in Zurich have remained on the table and currently “silent diplomatic” phase continues between the parties.

Commenting on this fact the political analyst said that both the Armenians and Turks would like to live in peace and friendly atmosphere but it will be possible only in case Turkey admits its guilt. “Turkey must make the first step of trust by admitting its crime. The “silent diplomacy” Turkey must direct toward its own people as for tens of years it has spread negative attitude toward Armenians. It is difficult for Turkey to explain to its people that it lied to them for 100 years,” Melik-Shahnazaryan said, pointing out that today Turkey has much to do with its own people than with Armenians.