JAVIER SOLANA: "EU ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CLEAR COMMITMENT OF TURKEY TO GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS"

ArmenPress
April 22 2009
Armenia

"The EU attaches great importance to the clear commitment of Turkey, as
a candidate country, to good neighbourly relations, a principle which
is fundamental for us," EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy Javier Solana said in an interview to Armenpress.

According to him, the European Union has always encouraged
the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia as an
important factor of stability and prosperity in the region. The EU
warmly welcomed the visit of President G?l to Armenia in September
2008 as a very significant step in the rapprochement between the two
countries. "It is in everybody’s interest to resolve this problem so
that a new climate emerges in the South Caucasus. We strongly encourage
both sides to continue along this path; progress in this area will
have a positive impact on the region’s stability and prosperity,"
J. Solana pointed out.

Referring to the question on acceptability of forwarding Nagorno
Karabakh issue as a pre-condition for opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border by the Turkish side, Solana said that in the framework of
the establishment of good neighbourly relations between Turkey and
Armenia, the EU has consistently encouraged the two countries towards
the opening of the border without preconditions. This is important
for both the stability and the prosperity of this region. "A positive
decision on one issue will create a positive dynamic that will help
also on other issues," EU High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy concluded.