WASHINGTON—US Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Phillip Gordon does not agree with claims that Russia, by initiating a meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, is gradually taking “control” over the process of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.
Gordon said Russia is geographically located closer to the conflicting parties, and it is easier to organize a meeting in Sochi, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Astrakhan, than in faraway Washington.
Russia acts transparently and informs the United States and France on the details of all meetings, he said at the Global Security Forum in Bratislava.
Gordon said the co-chairs trust each other in this issue, because they act from the standpoint of safeguarding the common interests. “And these interest is the need for comprehensive security in Europe,” he said.
The US disagrees with Turkey that it will ratify the Armenia-Turkey accords if Karabakh peace process achieves progress, Gordon stated.
The Unites States considers Armenia-Turkey relations should not be linked to other problems. U.S. reiterates its position and considers the parties should advance and ratify the Protocols, Gordon emphasized.
At least “The US disagrees with Turkey that it will ratify the Armenia-Turkey accords if Karabakh peace process achieves progress”
“The US considers Armenian-Turkey relations should not be linked to other problems”.I presume Gordon Bay means mainly Artsakh.
The trouble is that US officials have said it so many times without being able to force Turkey,it has now become boring if not useless.It seems to me that the United States are unable to force Turkey not to link protocol ratification and Artsakh.So much for the greatest power in the world.
My personal wish is for Armenia to give Turkey the Churchill salute wrong way round and pull out from this nasty protocols.