EU envoy urges Armenia, Turkey to open border

Arminfo
10 May 05

YEREVAN

Turkey has problems not only with Armenia but also with other European
countries with regard to the European Union membership issue, Torben
Holtze, head of the EU delegation in Armenia and Georgia, has told an
Arminfo correspondent.

Turkey’s accession to the EU is a matter of time for this country to
conduct reforms and develop, he stressed, pointing out that the issues
concerning Armenia, in particular, the opening of borders, are not
included in Turkey’s obligations towards the EU.

The border between Armenia and Turkey is not closed completely. “The
Armenian-Turkish border is partially open. I have seen numerous
lorries with Turkish state number plates and the fact that there are
charter flights from Armenia to Turkey is further evidence of this,”
Holtze said.

Meanwhile, he stressed that Armenia and Turkey want to open the
border. The ambassador noted that Turkish entrepreneurs also have a
great interest in opening the borders. He went on to say that the
process of opening the entire border between the two countries should
be implemented gradually – opening one part of the border and then the
other.

Holtze noted that the existing status quo in Armenian-Turkish
relations is not in the interests of Armenia or Turkey. Therefore,
both countries should make efforts to normalize their relations.