Turkish studies specialist Artak Shakaryan today told reporters in Yerevan that he was happy that flights between Yerevan and Van had been cancelled.

Shakaryan argued that even though Turkey pulled out under pressure from Baku, it was positive overall because the flights would have been used to bolster the Turkish side on the eve of April 24.

Shakaryan said it would have provided another opportunity to US President Obama to avoid using the word “genocide” regarding the events of 1915.

“Look, we are not blockading Armenia. There are two weekly flights from Istanbul to Yerevan and now we have flights from Van to Yerevan. How can there be talk of a blockade when we are opening new air routes?” was the way Shakaryan phrased Turkey’s public relations ploy.

Shakaryan added that he wouldn’t oppose Van-Yerevan flights if they operated after April 24.