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YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: Withdrawal of the Armenian-Turkish protocols from the agenda of the Turkish parliament shows that country has no wish to regulate the relations of the two countries, Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan said in an interview with Armenpress, adding that Turkish authorities emphasized by this step that they will go on with their policy assumed in the last 20 years – by blockade of Armenia.
Ruben Safrastyan does not see any prerequisite to the possible shift in Armenian-Turkish relations in near future. In his opinion, international community, particularly the USA, continues conducting its policy, speaking in favor of implementation of actions toward normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. "But we should not wait for the USA to apply pressure on Turkey in this issue at the moment. The political situation in the Middle East and in Syria has increased the role of Turkey in international area. Turkey continues remaining for the USA as a state with important role," Mr. Safrastyan said.
According to him, the issue on ratification of the protocols must be speedily withdrawn from our National Assembly, too, and Armenia must recall its signature.
To remind, the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed October 10, 2009, in Zurich, by Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers.