“Turkey and Armenia agree on the roadmap to establish diplomatic ties and open the shared border,” yesterday such information was publicized by the Turkish Hurriyet newspaper. According to it Ankara and Yerevan have agreed on the major parameters of a historic reconciliation in secret talks to start diplomatic relations and re-open their shared border. However the Hurriyet also mentions that the key question is whether to announce the agreement before, during or after President Obama’s visit to Turkey. Prior to that the newspaper informs that Turkey and Armenia are readying to sign a protocol that marks commitment by both sides to establish diplomatic relations and set up committees on issues ranging from border management, customs, history and more. Having achieved a satisfying deal which includes setting up a history committee to discuss 1915 events, on which Yerevan dragged its feet for a long time, the remaining dilemma for Ankara is the proper timing of the announcement. "The hard work is done. Everybody has faith that the deal will be made public soon," a diplomat told the Daily News, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The latter mentioned that the draft protocol will set the framework for transition to full diplomatic relations possibly starting with low-key representations in Ankara and Yerevan or accreditation of ambassadors from other neighboring capitals. Simultaneously Turkey will come up with a road map for a solution in Nagorno-Karabakh. The modalities of the new border regime will be determined upon the work by the border committee while as part of a show of good will immediate measures would be taken for a gradual opening.
