DEPUTY PARLIAMENT SPEAKER SAYS EUROPE MUST BE TOUGH WITH TURKEY

Armenpress
Oct 4, 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 4, ARMENPRESS: The deputy speaker of Armenia’s
parliament Vahan Hovhannissian told a press conference on Monday that
if Europe seeks stability and peace in the South Caucasus, it must
be tough with Turkey, and request implementation of certain criteria
before granting it full membership to the European Union (EU). These
would include a resolution of the Cyprus and Kurdish issues, as well
as recognition of the Armenian genocide, he stressed.

What is most incredulous, Hovhannisian said, is Turkey’s occupation
of an EU member country, which it refuses to recognize. Hovhannisian
pointed to Turkey’s non-compliance on a myriad of issues and its tough
stance with Europe, saying that this sets a `dangerous example for
Azerbaijan,’ which is also showing signs of refusing to cooperate,
this time with the OSCE and Armenia.

He said that though European political forces understand Turkey’s
refusal to recognize the Armenian genocide is dangerous, he explained
that Armenia must nevertheless aggressively advance the issue. `We
must share our position with the Europeans; we cannot rely on Euro
officials.’