EDWARD NALBANDIAN: TURKEY-ARMENIA RELATIONS SHOULD HAVE NO PRECONDITIONS
armradio.am
06.04.2009 10:43
Recently some Turkish officials have been making statements to
the effect that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is
conditioned by other issues like the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
problem and the process of international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. Asked to comment on this, the Foreign Minister of Armenia,
Edward nalbandian stated:
"The normalization of Armenian – Turkish relations should have no
preconditions and it is with this mutual understanding that we have
been negotiating with the Turkish side.
Normalization of the relations has no linkage to the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem and has never been a subject of negotiations
towards the normalization of Armenian – Turkish relations.
It has been said many times, and I want to stress it again, that the
normalization of Armenian – Turkish relations can never question the
reality of Armenian Genocide.
Today, dozens of states and international organizations have recognized
the Armenian Genocide, which Armenia has welcomed.
I believe, that the statements, which put forth preconditions for
the normalization of Armenian Turkish relations may be regarded as
an attempt to impede the progress reached in the negotiations."