A former Armenian foreign minister, Vartan Oskanian, has called for a new approach to rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia.
He said that the protocols signed by Armenia and Turkey in Zurich on 10 October were based on false assumptions by both sides.
Oskanian, who is president of the Civilitas Foundation, explained his view to Armenian website Tert.am:
“I haven't changed my mind on this since the beginning of the process. This is a document created on miscalculations on both sides.
“The miscalculations by the Armenian side were based on the convictions that:
"1. The opening of the Armenia-Turkey border is a life-or-death issue for the development of stability in Armenia’s domestic politics and the economy;
"2. Turkey will easily go against Azerbaijan’s interests;
"3. If the document doesn’t mention the words 'Kars Agreement', 'Genocide' or 'Nagorno-Karabakh', then the wording that is used for these issues can be presented to the Armenian people as harmless, with state propaganda used to that end.
“The miscalculations by the Turkish side were based on the convictions that:
"1. Armenia needs the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border so much that it will be possible to put into practice wording favourable to Turkey, obtained through diplomatic manoeouvring;
"2. The issue of Genocide and demands for recognition are purely diaspora issues and are of no interest to residents of Armenia;
"3. The resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue is imminent, and the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols and their linkage with Nagorno-Karabakh can be an additional stimulus to the Armenian side to expedite the process or at least ‘return’ some territories to Azerbaijan.
“Taking into account the importance of improving relations between Armenia and Turkey, a new approach and review of the issue is necessary.
“The process of improving relations cannot be successful if it is built on short-terms policy gains for the Armenian and Turkish authorities or on the ignorance of historical or political complexities. It must be established with an understanding of all the challenges and problems, if its purpose really is to bring about real, stable improvement.”
Tert.am