About the visit of Abdullah Gul to Yerevan

It is hard to say which principles Abdullah Gul adhered to while accepting Serzh Sargsyan's invitation to watch the football match between Turkey and Armenia.

Perhaps, he tended to see the exotics, named Armenian football or the opposite side of Agridag, or have a pleasure of watching Serzh Sargsyan, supporting his team and perhaps to have these three entertainments together,

However, the only question, which is currently remains without answer is which will be the practical political use of this joint attendance of the match? No, do not think that I mean the usefulness for us, the only strategic allies of Turkey. How will Turkey benefit from it? The disavowal of the idea of recognition of "genocide" by the world Armenians? Never. They are living with it and on it. Armenians without the obsessional idea of recognition equal to Putin and Saakashvili, friendly hugging each others at a disco in Siktivkar. Thus, it is almost impossible.

To think that it would be possible to hold a PR campaign that we have visited Yerevan is also ineffective. Armenians will lie and reagitate it and knowing Armenians, I do not rule out that they will say that Abdullah Gul poured some laxatives to Sargsyan's coffee during an interval and only Sargsyan's strong will allowed him to watch the match to the end. It is no secret that today we see that Armenians are completely winning over Turks on all parameters of propaganda.

It would also be naive to suppose that Armenians are ready for national recognition or to reject Russian influence.

I thought that, perhaps, there are apparent economic benefits. Naturally for Armenia, it would be like that, but Turks will not benefit from it. It is supposed that Turks need it for EU accession. Yet these suppositions are also unfounded, as even if Turks give Kars, Erzerum and three hotels in Antalia to Armenians and at the same time the whole political leadership of Turkey dances before the EU leadership, EU position will not soften. It is a topic of another talk, but only an unwise person can hope for Turkey's full membership in EU in the next, at least 30 years. To marry and to promise to marry are different things. There are apparent minuses under illusive pluses. First of all, Azerbaijan's reaction, second, in case of favorable results of talks with Turkey, (opening of borders, diplomatic relations and trade and economic issues), Armenia will hardly withdraw its troops from the occupied lands and the relations with our country will cool, if not deteriorate.

Third, the only card in the hands of both Turkey and Azerbaijan, against Armenian cards of occupied lands and pressure on Turkey regarding recognition of the so-called "genocide" are closed borders, that is, economic pressure that Turkey can give to Armenians. If it is clear to me, official Ankara also understands it. Yet Erdogan's initiative to conclude a pact of stability in the Caucasus between Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia, considering the fact that Russia violated the territorial integrity of Georgia and Armenia occupied Azerbaijani lands may be compared to proposal to Ahmadinejat to ballot for US senate from baptists. Certainly, each country adheres to its national interests and Turkey is not an exception. But no one can answer about what can interest Turkey. Only Armenians can benefit but I hope that Turkey's football team will also win in this issue.

Anar Mamedkhanov

Milli Medjlis deputy