POLAND TO BE A MEDIATOR IN IMPROVING ARMENIA-TURKEY DIALOGUE
ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 7 2006
Poland came out with proposal to propose Armenian interests to
Turkey and visa versa. Armenian side has already responded on the
proposal, Bogdan Borusewicz, the Marshal of the Polish Seym, said at
the press conference in Yerevan today. He said that despite the lack
of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia the both countries
are of interest to each other. He pointed out that relations between
the two states should be improved by means of the ‘small steps’ policy.
The Marshal said that the closed border is a bigger problem for
Armenia rather than for Turkey. "If the closed border is a question
of principle for Armenia it is only a local one for Turkey", said.
Mr. Borusewicz. He added that Poland is for Turkey’s membership in EU
even if the process will take 15 years. "I think Turkey’s membership
in EU will benefit for Armenia as well", the Marshal said.
In his turn, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Tigran Torossyan agreed
with Borusewicz that Turkey’s entry into the EU is not contrary to
Armenia’s interests as each EU member state should comply with the
European values. Simply it would be strange if Turkey joined the EU
without opening its border with Armenia. Torossyan is not optimistic
in the matter as he has met with Turkish representatives and has
seen that Turkey has a stiff approach to the problem of its relations
with Armenia.
The speakers said that the Armenian-Polish cooperation is quite
developed. Torossyan expressed hope that the visit of Borusewicz will
increase the role of Poland in Armenia, while Borusewicz said that
his visit will help to enhance the image of Armenia in Poland. The
sides noted that the economic cooperation is not active because of
Armenia’s blockade. In 2005 the Armenian-Polish trade turnover was
just $17 mln. In order to attract Polish investments Armenia should
become a more predictable country. Borusewicz noted that Armenia has
big potential for democracy development.