OSKANIAN: TURKEY’S PRECONDITIONS MEAN NOTHING FROM STANDPOINT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.12.2007 16:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Armenian-Turkish relations represent a very
complicated issue burdened by the past. But however difficult they
are, a solution is needed. And the only way to resolve problems is
to normalize relations," Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
said during The Armenian-Turkish Relations: Problems and Prospects
extended parliamentary hearings.

"Turkey wants fulfillment of its preconditions first and only then
establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border. But
it’s not right. The international community rates opening of the
border as the primary condition. Show me a European state which kept
borders closed because of problems with neighbors," the Minister said.

He reminded of Turkey’s three preconditions: 1. resolution of the
Karabakh problem in favor of Azerbaijan; 2. recognition of present
day Turkey’s borders; 3. renunciation of international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

"Neither of the preconditions is admissible for Armenia. The
Armenian-Turkish relations can be divided in three stages: from
1991 to 1993, when Turkey recognized Armenia’s independence without
establishing diplomatic relations; from 1993 to 1998, when Turkey
used the Karabakh factor (recognition of the Genocide was not
on the RA agenda at that time) and from 1988 up to the present
day… Nevertheless, from these preconditions mean nothing the
standpoint of international law," he said.