Obama will not use the term ‘genocide’

Ankara trying to enhance its reputation

21.02.2009 14:53 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are several geopolitical factors which will affect the Armenian-Turkish relations, according to an Armenian professor.

“The U.S. key dimension is Afghanistan, which sidelined Iran and Iraq,” director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA National Academy of Sciences, professor Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference today.

“For the purpose, Washington will need Ankara’s support. Keep in mind that CIS chief arrived in Turkey immediately after Obama’s phone talks with President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan,” he said. “Leon Panetta was reported to discuss a possibility of deploying of a U.S. base in Turkey.”

This scenario will inevitably affect the Armenian-Turkish relations, according to prof. Safrastyan.

“Proceeding from national interests, Barack Obama will not use the term ‘genocide’ in his annual April 24 statement,” he said.

He also emphasized that that after the Russian-Georgian clashes, Europe will work to launch Nabucco project, which will pump Azeri gas to European states through Turkey.

“During his recent visit to Brussels, Erdogan did not rule out that Turkey will renounce its EU bid. This way, Ankara is trying to enhance its reputation,” prof. Safrastyan said