TIGRAN TOROSIAN: "ARMENIA HAS ALWAYS DISPLAYED READINESS TO COOPERATE WITH AZERBAIJAN"

Noyan Tapan
Jun 18 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. On June 15 Tigran Torosian, the RA NA
Speaker, received the investigative delegation of the Cacausian-Caspian
Commission headed by George Rid, the ex-Speaker of the Scottish
Parliament.

As reported to Noyan Tapan by the RA NA Public Relations Department,
the NA Speaker touched upon Armenian-Turkish relations at the
request of George Rid. Tigran Torosian mentioned that after the
re-establishment of independence up to now, Armenia has been ready to
establish relations with Turkey without preconditions. It is Turkey
that sets preconditions, claiming not to recognize the Armenian
Genocide of 1915 either in Armenia or in the Diaspora, being driven
by the conflict of Nagorno Karabakh with its own interests at heart,
and keeping the border to Armenia closed. However, the NA Speaker
believes that Armenia finds it possible to establish Armenian-Turkish
relations and is ready to continue the discussions.

In response to George Rid’s question of whether Armenia is ready to
discuss cooperation issues in any sphere with Azerbaijan despite the
conflict of Nagorno Karabakh, Tigran Torosian declared that Armenia
has always displayed readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan, believing
that it will also contribute to the conflict’s settlement. However,
Azerbaijan believes that they can think about cooperation only after
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress