Pan Armenian News

CLOSE BORDERS NOT JUSTIFIED BY ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIFFERENCES

27.05.2005 07:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia considers that any differences with Turkey cannot
justify the availability of close borders between the two countries and
absence of bilateral relations, Armenian Permanent Representative of the CoE
Christian Ter-Stepanian said when addressing a meeting of the Committee of
Ministers of the Council of Europe. In his words, the opening of the borders
without preconditions will become a considerable move toward establishment
of a dialogue within the framework of the Armenian-Turkish Intergovernmental
Commission. The Commission will discuss and made decisions over the issues
that still burden Turkey and Armenia. `This is exactly the essence of the
proposal of Armenian President R. Kocharian made to the Turkish PM, which
was not responded until now,’ Ter-Stepanian stated. `At the same time we can
state that the Turkish authorities have never lacked pretexts to refuse from
opening of the borders and establishing diplomatic relations. Thus, Turkey
lately noted absence of progress in the Karabakh settlement, thus explaining
its own stand over the issue,’ he stated. However, in his words, we were
sure the exchange of letters between our state leaders opened a window
toward the beginning of a dialogue. We state with pity that Turkey again did
not use the opportunity to normalize relations with Armenia.