RA MFA: TURKEY’S INITIATIVE TO SEND OBSERVERS TO RA IS DISINGENUOUS GIVEN ABSENCE OF DIPLOMATIC REALTIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 10 2007
"Turkey maintains a closed border with Armenia and refuses to establish
diplomatic relations. Under the circumstances, to expect to send
observers is a bit disingenuous", RA MFA Acting Spokesperson Vladimir
Karapetian stated, while commenting on Armenpress Agency’s question
concerning Armenia’s unwillingness to receive Turkish delegation as
observers at the Parliamentary elections to be held in RA.
According to the information DE FACTO got at the RA MFA Pres Office,
Vladimir Karapetian had noted, "Armenia regrets that Turkey did not
demonstrate sensitivity in relation to its citizens-representatives
participating in the OSCE observer mission to Armenia, taking into
account the absence of relations between our two countries".
"Turkey cannot determine, 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.
We understand the concern of OSCE members regarding Armenia’s OSCE
commitments and reaffirm our adherence to the obligations. However,
we expect that participating states will also expect Turkey to adhere
to its commitments to engage in normal, neighborly relations with
Armenia", RA MFA Acting Spokesperson noted.