BARACK OBAMA: OPEN BORDER WOULD RETURN THE TURKISH AND ARMENIAN PEOPLE TO A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS COEXISTENCE THAT WOULD SERVE BOTH NATIONS

ArmInfo
2009-04-07 11:13:00

ArmInfo.’We have already seen historic and courageous steps taken by
Turkish and Armenian leaders. These contacts hold out the promise
of a new day. An open border would return the Turkish and Armenian
people to a peaceful and prosperous coexistence that would serve both
of your nations. That is why the United States strongly supports
the full normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia’,
US President Barack Obama declared at Turkish Parliament Monday.

‘Human endeavor is by its nature imperfect. History, unresolved,
can be a heavy weight. Each country must work through its past. And
reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future. I know
there are strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of
1915. While there has been a good deal of commentary about my views,
this is really about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the
past. And the best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people
is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest,
open and constructive’, President Obama said.

He also added that it speaks to Turkey’s leadership that it is poised
to be the only country in the region to have normal and peaceful
relations with all the South Caucusus nations. ‘And to advance that
peace, you can play a constructive role in helping to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which has continued for far too long’,
Barack Obama declared.