CLOSED TURKISH-ARMENIAN BORDER ANOMALY
PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2007 18:42 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is
vital for the entire region. Closed border is an anomaly, EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said during
The Armenian-Turkish Relations: Problems and Prospects extended
parliamentary hearings. Armenia and Turkey should come to agreement
in the name of future, according to him.
"The EU is ready to contribute to the process but we think the sides
should meet half-way. Common history should be forgotten. Of course,
it’s a long process that should be carried out step by step. Armenia
and Turkey practice different views on the events of 1915.
But Armenia stands for normalization of relations without preconditions
while Turkey holds an opposite view. That is why both should search
for compromise," Mr Semneby said.
He welcomed RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan’s statement regarding
Turkey’s accession to the EU.
"Such statements create a good basis for Turkish forces interested
in normalization of relations.
Formation of a joint commission of historians for investigation
the fact of genocide is an interesting proposal. However, validity
of article 301 hampers any dialogue," he said adding that Turkish
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan promised to review the article.