Yerevan, June 23. /Mediamax/. Leader of Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Ter-Petrosian believes that trying to normalize relations with Turkey, Armenian President Serzh Sargsian "did everything right”.

Mediamax reports that first Armenian President said this in an interview to “Moscow News” newspaper. Answering the question on what Serzh Sargsian “did wrong”, Levon Ter-Petrosian said:

“He did everything right and properly. This topic should always be on the agenda, since without regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations, without opening of borders, Armenia has no prospects for development”.

Ex-President noted that till 1992 the relations with Turkey were normal.

“We were ready to establish diplomatic relations. Even the draft protocol was ready, only one-two issues remained to be coordinated. Then fighting started in Kelbajar region and Turks simply stopped this process as a sign of solidarity with Azerbaijan. They tore these agreements and closed the borders. Maybe we do not like it, but it is a fact: Turks will not agree to any regulation of relations as long as Karabakh issue is not solved. Solve Karabakh issue and the borders with Turkey will be opened the next day. There are no other issues”, Levon Ter-Petrosian said.

ANC leader noted that “we tried to prove to the Turks that those two issues were not to be linked to each other”.

“Turks were really mistaken and this way they harmed Azerbaijan, they did not help it. They suggested to Azerbaijan that Turkey is an ally and that it backs Azerbaijan up, and the Azerbaijani people can be more uncompromising as to the issue of Karabakh conflict. And indeed, this led to the second war, when Azerbaijan lost already five regions. Turkey has its fault in this too. It could suggest some realism to Turkey; convince it of taking up some concessions”, Levon Ter-Petrosian said.

“I do not think that Turkey keeps to a right stance. On the contrary, because of its stance towards Armenia, Turkey becomes a break for the settlement of Karabakh problem. If Turkey agreed to improve relations with Armenia, maybe, this would have its positive effect on fast settlement of Karabakh problem”, ANC leader said.

Speaking of the Genocide issue, Levon Ter-Petrosian said:

“In our times this was not a question. Neither us, nor them touched upon the issue of the Genocide, normal negotiations were in process. After the incautious step by Robert Kocharian, who raised the issue of the Genocide from UN platform, Turkey took up a counteroffer: since you raise that issue, let us set up a committee of historians, and let it study the issue. And Kocharian was trapped. Kocharian left and Serzh Sargsian is in this trap now. Our stances fully coincide with Serzh Sargsian’s stance as to the issue that it is necessary to reestablish relations with Turkey, except for this problem. They included a provision on establishment of a committee of historians in the protocols on reestablishing relations. We are absolutely against this item, since establishment of a committee means that the very fact of the Genocide is cast doubt on”.