Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 12 2007
Shukru Elekdag says Turkey not to grant visa to Armenian citizens
[ 12 May 2007 12:39 ]
Turkish Republic Popular Party member, parliamentarian Shukru Elekdag
has condemned Armenia for denying for visa to Turkish representatives
of the OSCE, who were to observe parliamentary elections in the
country.
MP told APA’s bureau that Turkey has to stop granting visa to
Armenian citizens for a while as a reply.
`On one hand Armenia demands to open borders with Turkey, but on the
other it denies Turkish representatives for visa. This shows Armenia
pursues a hypocritical policy. Armenia thinks Turkey is afraid of
European Union, as well as the USA and standing this viewpoint it
takes such steps. But Ankara is to react to this by all means.
Armenian citizens shouldn’t receive visa for a month. It should be
Turkey’s message that it is always ready to reply properly. We have
to take appropriate measures if we respect ourselves. Armenia doesn’t
want Turkey to observe the current situation in the country. Turkish
observers should insist on getting visa’, he underscored.
As for the position of the OSCE on the issue, Elekdag considers the
organization should support its representatives.
`The OSCE should refuse to observe the elections as Turkish
parliamentarians fail to get visa. Armenia feels free to do anything
because there is no pressure on it. Armenia thinks Turkey is going to
make unilateral concession. That’s why Armenian citizens shouldn’t
receive visa to Turkey’, he noted. /APA/