Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2005

CONTACT: Christine Kojoian

Email: ckojoian@aaainc.org

ARMENIA FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON TURKEY TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS,
REOPEN BORDER WITH ARMENIA

Urges U.S. to Apply Greater Pressure on Turkey

Washington, DC – Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian today again
called on Turkey to re-open its border with Armenia, a move he says
that would greatly benefit the neighboring countries and help advance
U.S. interests in the region.

During a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington,
Oskanian reiterated Armenia’s longstanding policy that Yerevan
is fully prepared to normalize relations with Ankara without
preconditions. Further, Oskanian said that Turkey’s genocidal legacy
should not interfere with normalization of relations or the land
border issue.

The Foreign Minister also called on the U.S. to apply greater pressure
on Turkey, an EU aspirant, to lift its 12-year blockade on Armenia.
President Bush has previously called on Turkey to restore economic,
political and cultural links with Armenia. Similarly, other key
nations and intergovernmental bodies, such as the European Union,
have urged Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia.

“Armenia’s position of normalizing relations with Turkey without
preconditions is in harmony with international calls for Turkey to
end its illegal blockade and establish full and normal relations
with Armenia,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
“The international community must make it clear to Turkey that
relations should be regularized sooner rather than later as part of
the conditions being set for EU ascension talks.”

Ardouny also added that we must fight against policies which isolate
Armenia and look at measures to strengthen regional integration.

According to the World Bank, lifting the blockade could reduce
Armenia’s transport cost by up to 50 percent and increase its GDP by
30 percent and double exports.

Oskanian is in the U.S. for official meetings with top Administration
officials including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, key Members
of Congress and other officials. Oskanian said he had a productive
meeting with Rice and that the pair discussed several issues including
Armenia’s democratic reforms, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and
Turkey-Armenia relations.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

NR#2005-064

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

CAPTION: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian with Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice during their meeting in Washington on June 10.

CAPTION: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, left, met with
Armenian Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian (not
pictured) and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny during his two-day
official visit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress