DISCUSSION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS BY EUROPEAN STRUCTURES IMPORTANT FOR ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2007

YEREVAN, December 19. /ARKA/. Armenia attaches importance to the
discussion of Armenian-Turkish relations by the European structures,
Speaker of the RA Parliament Tigran Torosyan stated at his meeting
with EU Special Representative in the South Caucasus Peter Semneby,
who is in Yerevan to take part in the parliamentary hearings on
Armenian-Turkish relations.

"Armenia attaches importance to the discussion of the problem at
European structures in the context of European values and European
integration, as, with specific principles being set, neither side can
accuse European structures of being biased," Torosyan said. According
to him, the principles must be clearly set and accepted by the sides
through statements.

Moreover, they must be applied in practice.

"The road travelled by the European Union is evidence that tolerance
and dialogue is the basis for resolving disagreements. Armenia’s
position is in harmony with the principles. Armenia is aware of the
problems that have to be put aside for some time and of the necessity
for cooperation in other matters and, through the creation of an
atmosphere of mutual confidence and understanding, contributing to
the resolution of the problems," Torosyan said.

He pointed out that Turkey is setting preconditions, which specifically
concern the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, Armenian Diaspora thereby considering it possible to
establish cooperation only after the issues have been settled.

"It is natural that the preconditions should be unacceptable for
Armenia, as Turkey is raising issues related to a third state,
Azerbaijan, in the context of Armenian-Turkish relations. Besides,
Ankara is unable to resolve its psychological problems related to the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and continues Armenia’s blockade,"
Torosyan said. He stressed that these steps do not by any means fit
the European system of values.

The RA Parliament has held hearings on problems and prospects of
Armenian-Turkish relations.

The hearings were attended by representatives of a number of Armenian
and international organizations, political parties, as well as by Peter
Semneby. A Turkish representative declined the Armenian Parliament’s
invitation.