Prior to departing for Moscow, the RA President Serzh Sargsyan answered the questions of the reporters in Zvartnots airport.
– Mr. President, now, when the protocols are signed, may it be considered that the condition forwarded by you – visiting Turkey in case of the open borders – has been implemented?
– We have never spoken with pre-conditions. Just the opposite we have always insisted that our relations must develop without preconditions. We are speaking of enough prerequisites and I think that today these prerequisites exist. Besides in relations I greatly underscore the principle of mutuality: president of Turkey responded to my invitation and came to Armenia and now I do not have serious grounds not to accept his invitation. My counterpart has sent a written invitation and if in the coming two days no extraordinary events happen I will visit Bursa to support my favorite football team – Armenian national team.
– How will you assess the yesterday’s statements of the Turkish prime minister and foreign minister?
– Unfortunately, our public learns about such statements first of all from the Azerbaijani web sites the authors of which, naturally, are trying to distort the statements of Turkish officials. Nevertheless there were such statements and in my opinion they are first of all directed to Azerbaijani audience. In the opposite case it is very strange for me: if the Turks are not going to ratify the protocols why they have signed it on the eve. May be they were thinking that we cannot display enough will and step back. Maybe. In any case today the ball is on the Turkish side and we have enough patience to wait for the development of events. We have publicly stated about our steps and without hesitation will move in that direction. Will the Turks ratify the protocols, will they follow the approved graphic we will continue the process, no, we have nothing to hesitate and will do what we have stated.
– After Kishnev negotiations Azerbaijani president stated that the issue of return of the Nagorno Karabakh’s nearby territories is already agreed. Will you confirm or reject this statement?
– The strange thing in this interview is not that the Azerbaijani president is dissatisfied with the results of negotiations. The strange is several thoughts expressed by him, including what you have said. I do not know with whom the Azerbaijani president agreed and if you have noticed there are several uncertainties in this paragraph. He is not saying when, where. We have never discussed with Azerbaijan the issue of return of territories. He is displeased with the process and results of negotiations because we have discussed only two issues -final status of Karabakh and middle status. And if he is displeased I cannot help him in this issue.