OSKANIAN PARTICIPATES IN THE 44th MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

Lragir
Feb 12 2008
Armenia

Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
the 44th Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday February
9 and 10.

Former German Defense National Security Advisor Horst Teltschik,
who heads the conference, presided over the two days during which
several heads of state as well as more than 40 foreign and defense
ministers, and 500-plus members of the media and international policy
makers participated in open dialogue about current and future security
challenges.

Under the general conference topic of "The World in Disarray –
Shifting Powers – Lack of Strategies," Turkish Prime Minister Regep
Tayip Erdogan spoke on Turkey’s Foreign Policy and Security Interests.

Following the Prime Minister’s statement, Minister Oskanian took
the floor, responded to Erdogan’s articulation of his vision as
a democratic and major strategic player in the region and beyond,
contributing to peace and stability.

Minister Oskanian began by acknowledging that the Prime Minister
takes pride in Turkey’s democratization and "its geostrategic role
in our region and beyond, to achieve peace and stability." Minister
Oskanian continued by saying, "Mr. Prime Minister, you also reiterated
your firm commitment to becoming a full member of the European Union,
which we in Armenia support. This is precisely the kind of neighbor
we would like to have. But as you know, today the border between our
two countries is closed. By Turkey. We’ve often raised this issue,
stating that we would like to have normal ties with Turkey, open
borders and diplomatic relations. Armenians would like to be the
beneficiaries of the vision you projected here today.

But we have heard you, loud and clear, repeating two main reasons,
or excuses, for keeping that border closed. One of your reasons is
Armenia’s engagement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the second is
our pursuit of genocide recognition. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict
is between Armenians and Azeris. Genocide recognition is our moral,
historic obligation. Our countries are not at war, Mr. Prime Minister,
and I wonder whether short of being at war, the reasons you always
offer are sufficient to justify maintaining closed borders between
our two countries. You can help us, by your positive engagement, to
resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Having normal relations, open
borders and diplomatic relations, will allow us together to address
our differences on the genocide issue. There are important processes
going on and Turkey can be a natural bridge for the Caucasus, with EU
and NATO. So I wonder whether you think that with Turkey’s positive
engagement in our region, with equal, neutral relations with all,
Turkey wouldn’t play a more positive role in addressing those very
issues that you consider to be obstacles for normalization of our
relations."

Turkey’s Prime Minister did not respond to Minister Oskanian’s
questions about the geopolitical situation and prospects for
normalization. Instead, he repeated the offer to convene historians,
spoke about "1915 massacres being not proven historically" and on the
one hand offered historians, archaeologists and others to study the
matter, and on the other hand rejected the possibility of genocide
being part of Turkish culture.

During the conference, Minister Oskanian held meetings with Lithuania’s
Foreign Minister, and the German Foreign Ministry’s Political Director,
Dr. Volker Stanzel.
From: Baghdasarian