OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER WILL PLAY INTO ANKARA’S HANDS

PanArmenian
April 17 2009
Armenia

RA ex-Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s book presentation was held
in Yerevan.

"The Unfinished Decade" features Vardan Oskanyan’s speeches
as RA Minister of Affairs. "The book is the report I submit to
modern Armenian history. My second book of memoirs will be more
analytical. Still there are some things which mustn’t be written at
all or told about too early."

The ex-Foreign Minister noted that Armenian foreign policy has to be
corrected, specifically in the sphere of Armenian-Turkish relations.

"I support opening of Armenian-Turkish borders and believe that
positive aspects prevail over negative ones. Still I’m concerned about
the abundance of controversial statements on the issue. On one hand,
Turkish President speaks about the impossibility to normalize relations
without NKR conflict settlement, and on the other, Armenia declares
about certain progress in negotiations. It’s great that negotiations
between the parties became more open. But we mustn’t forget that it’s
Turkey who’ll benefit from opening of Armenian-Turkish border. The
country has a number of issues: EU, Kurds, the Armenian Genocide
recognition, internal policy issues. So, opening of Armenian-Turkish
border will play into Ankara’s hands," Oskanyan said.