Armenian-Turkish relations are a sensitive issue, EU official says

Armenian-Turkish relations are a sensitive issue, EU official says

06.05.2005 11:19

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Presently, the Armenian-Turkish dialogue is in
its preliminary stage, an EU official said in Yerevan on Thursday,
Armenpress reported.

“There will be a positive development after the opening of the border
between Armenia and Turkey. We understand it is a very sensitive
issue and will take some time to iron out,” said Heiki Talvitie, EU’s
special representative to the South Caucasus, told a news conference,
held jointly with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian.

Talvitie has discussed Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s proposal to
set up a joint commission with the Armenian FM. He, however, noted
that the EU has no official position toward that proposal.

Oskanian, in turn, said that by such moves, Turkey is trying to
settle its own issues. He also informed that no talks have begun to
set a date for a possible meeting of Armenian President Kocharian
and Turkish PM Erdogan.