EU Envoy Hopes For “Breakthrough” In Armenian-Turkish Border Problem

EU ENVOY HOPES FOR “BREAKTHROUGH” IN ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER PROBLEM

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 13 2005

Yerevan, 13 October, ARMINFO: The opening of the borders with Armenia
does not only arise from Turkey’s economic interests but also from the
interests of the European Union [EU], the head of the EU delegation in
Armenia and Georgia, Torben Holtze, has told an Arminfo correspondent.

He said that Turkey also realizes the necessity of opening borders
with Armenia and the frequent statements by Turkish representatives
on a need for lifting the blockade of the borders show this. The
envoy expressed the hope that a “breakthrough” will be marked in the
opening of the Armenian-Turkish borders within the next six months.

“I think we shall soon eyewitness the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
borders despite the fact that this is a very complicated and even an
emotional issue,” Holtze said.

He pointed out that the EU is making every effort for the establishment
of the regional cooperation and is not only interested in the
opening of the Armenian-Turkish but also the Armenian-Azerbaijani
borders. Nevertheless, he said that for the time being, we cannot
say that the Armenian-Turkish borders are fully closed as flights
between Yerevan and Istanbul are regular and Turkish lorries deliver
goods to Armenia via Georgia or the other way round.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS