ANKARA (Combined Sources)–Armenia’s revised constitution–enacted after the passage Sunday’s referendum–has Ankara concerned about a provision that lifts the ban on dual citizenship. Although the constitutional changes are widely supported by European and American organizations–Turkey is worried about the constitution’s affects on Armenian-Turkish relations.
The Turkish government is worried that allowing dual citizenship will increase the power of the anti-Turkish Armenian diaspora in Armenia.
Zaman Daily quotes Turkish "diplomatic sources," which say: "If these changes take place–the Armenian diaspora will increase its influence on Armenian policy even more by gaining voting rights also. This will reflect a negative effect on Ankara-Yerevan relations."
According to Armenpress–the revised constitution is also alarming Turks because it gives parliament the authority to determine or alter the currently existing borders of Armenia.
Another concern for Ankara is that if the amendmen’s pass–Armenia can gain more international support in Mountainous Karabagh Republic. Armenian President Robert Kocharian is quoted as saying: "These constitutional amendmen’s will increase our influence in the international arena and we will find more supporters in relation with the Nagorno-Karabagh issue."
