PEOPLE OF ARMENIA ARE AWARE THAT DIASPORA HARMS THEM, FATSA

Turkish Press
April 29 2008

ANKARA – A Turkish member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) said Saturday the people and
administrators of Armenia were aware that the diaspora harmed them.

Eyup Fatsa, an MP from northern province of Ordu and a member of the
Turkish Group in PABSEC, talked to AA on his trip to Yerevan between
April 16th and 18th where he attended a meeting of the PABSEC`s
Political Committee and titled "Terrorism".

"I was concerned that the Armenians may bring up the issue of 1915
incidents and cause tension on the topic of terrorism. Yet the
Armenians displayed warm hospitality and acted sincerely. They did
not bring up issues on which we were concerned," Fatsa said.

"Armenian MPs who were our hosts gave us tours in the country. We
attended luncheons and dinners hosted by the PABSEC Armenian Group
chairman and deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament," Fatsa said.

"I have informed the Armenians that there are certain issues
between Turkey and Armenia. The two countries are very close to each
other. The distance between Yerevan and Turkish Igdir province is
only 27 kilometers. We must find political solutions to political
matters and leave historical issues to historians," Fatsa noted.

"Armenian politicians request that the border gate with Turkey get
opened," Fatsa said.

"Despite all the problems, the trade volume between Turkey and Armenia
has reached 180 million USD," Fatsa said.

"Armenian people and politicians indicate that the development of
relations between Armenia and Turkey are to the benefit of Armenia,"
Fatsa said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress