Turkish Daily News
Feb 23 2007

Armenian opposition urges dialogue with Ankara, Baku
Friday, February 23, 2007

Turkish Daily News

Artur Baghdasaryan, head of Armenian opposition party, said that
dwelling on history hampered his country’s relations with its
neighbors and suggested that Yerevan normalize ties with both Turkey
and Azerbaijan.

`Given the huge benefits Azerbaijani energy supplies and Turkish
investments would have for Armenia’s economy, normalizing our ties
with these two countries – with which we have no diplomatic relations
– would be crucial for us and the entire region,’ Baghdasaryan wrote
in an article published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

He complained that much of Armenia’s establishment remains trapped
in the past and, `…Dwelling on sad memories hampers our relationship
with our neighbors, chiefly Turkey and Azerbaijan. This cannot be
conducive to peace, stability and long-term prosperity.’

More than a decade ago, when Armenian troops began occupying the
Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey closed their border
to Armenia and also severed diplomatic relations with the country.

In comments regarding the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh,
Baghdasaryan said that the persistence of this issue dilutes the
strategic value of Armenia as well as the entire region. `We have a
common interest in ensuring that our region can capitalize on its
geopolitical position and become the link between Eastern European
and Central Asian markets. The only durable solution is a negotiated
settlement which will require compromises on both sides,’ he added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress