MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: press@mfa.am

PRESS RELEASE

09-05-2007
Vladimir Karapetian, Ministry Acting Spokesperson responds to a question by
"Armenpress" on Armenia’s refusal to accept Turkish representatives in the
election observation mission

Question.- Turkey and the international community are surprised that
Armenia refused to accept Turkish representatives in the election
observation mission.

Answer.- Turkey maintains a closed border with Armenia and refuses to
establish diplomatic relations. Under these circumstances, to expect to send
observers is a bit disingenuous.

Armenia regrets that Turkey did not demonstrate sensitivity in relation to
its citizens-representatives participating in the OSCE observer mission to
Armenia, given the absence of relations between our two countries.

Turkey cannot choose and select which kinds of political relations it wishes
to have with Armenia, and which it does not wish to have. Political and
diplomatic relations are not entered into selectively.

Armenia understands the concern of OSCE members regarding Armenia’s OSCE
commitments, and reaffirms that we remain faithful to those commitments. But
we expect that participating states will also expect Turkey to adhere to its
commitments to engage in normal, neighborly relations with Armenia.