Closed Border with Armenia Pretense for Turkey Not Being Accepted into EU: Shakaryan

The amendments to Turkey’s constitution, of course, are a step toward Europe, said Turkologist Artak Shakaryan, while speaking to journalists today, adding that many analysts who are involved in the issue hold the same opinion. 

“However, there are more fundamental issues, the reason for which Turkey isn’t being accepted into the EU. Whether the border with Armenia is open or closed, whether there are relations with Iran or not, will the [Armenian] Genocide be recognized or not; these are simply pretenses for Europe not to accept Turkey[‘s membership],” said Shakaryan. 

In his opinion, if Turkey becomes a member of the EU, then this country of 75 million people will become the second most important state, after Germany, in approving decisions, which, for example, definitely isn’t favorable for France.