A decisive turn in Armenian-Turkish relations

The weekly magazine L'Express analyses on its website the changing relations between Armenia and Turkey: "A decisive turn is now taking place on Europe's doorstep, in a conflict which is as deeply rooted in people's minds as it is on the soil. Turkey and Armenia have recently signed a 'roadmap' ... containing vital clauses. Firstly, it calls for the exchange of ambassadors ... together with the opening of borders between the two countries. This move, however, will only be of a symbolic or transitional nature. Then agreements are to be worked out leading to the resumption of trade relations. ... Nevertheless essential stumbling blocks remain. On the Turkish side any recognition of the 1915 genocide is a national taboo. At the same time, however, this point is non-negotiable for the Armenian diaspora. On the other hand the Armenians will only accept a solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh ... if the Azerbaijanis, who are supported by Turkey, agree to surrender this traditional terrain."

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