The normalization of relations with Turkey must be in harmony with the national interest of our state, and Armenians worldwide, on the whole. Interview of Armen Sarkissian, the President of the Republic of Armenia, to Arab News

Arab News, the leading English-language Middle East daily, located in Saudi Arabia, published an exclusive interview with President Armen Sarkissian.

The following is an excerpt on the relations with Turkey and Pakistan from the interview.

Faisal Abbas: The Vice President of Turkey said an interesting thing a few days ago, that they want to normalize relations with Armenia together with Azerbaijan. Does Armenia welcome and accept it?

President Sarkissian: First, whether Armenia welcomes is already complex...

I am the President of a Parliamentary Republic, and according to the Constitution, I am the head of state, but I do not have executive powers. It is the Government that makes the main decisions, and it is the Government that has to answer to the Turkish side…

At the same time, any agreement, negotiated or finalized, should go through a certain process…

There should also be a public discussion about it, and any agreement, after going through all the stages, should come to my table…

It would be wrong for me to judge in advance, and give qualifications or comments on something that has not started yet, and has not reached my table. The moment that agreement reaches my table, you will hear my voice.

Of course, as the President of the Republic, I can sign it if I consider that it is in harmony with the national interest of the state and the people of Armenia and, the Armenians worldwide, in general. Or, I have a chance not to sign it, and then to send it to the Constitutional Court so that the top lawyers can discuss this issue and give me advice.

Faisal Abbas: Pakistan has very close relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. What effect does this have on you?

President Sarkissian: Very bad. We have no diplomatic relations with Pakistan. To be honest, we should try building them. I do not come from the concept that if somebody supports my competitor or enemy, we should not talk to him…

From the moment we start building diplomatic relations with Pakistan, and establish ties, perhaps their position towards the Caucasus will change...

I think about how we can build our relations because Pakistan is not a country you can ignore, especially in our region, especially when we talk about its obvious support to Azerbaijan and Turkey. We are not in a position of going to war with Pakistan. We should try to a dialogue and see where it takes us, and again I do not see any contradiction between having a dialogue with Pakistan and our deep and good relations with India. We have good historical relations with that country; Armenians have lived in India for thousands of years.