EDWARD NALBANDIAN: ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS HAD NEVER GONE THIS FAR

armradio.am
27.04.2009 16:16

The Armenian-Turkish relations had never gone this far, the Foreign
Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, stated in an interview with
Armenpress. According to the Foreign Minister, Turkish President
Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan to watch the Armenia-Turkey qualifier
marked the start of a qualitatively new stage in the process of
normalization of relations.

"A very important meeting took place between the Presidents of Armenia
and Turkey. Another important meeting took place between the Armenian
President and the Turkish Prime Minister in Davos. There have been a
number of meetings on the level of Foreign Ministers. And today we
have arrived at the statement publicized on April 22, which marks
progress in the negotiation process," the Minister said.

According to Edward Nalbandian, this statement came to reconfirm
that we are ready for normalization of ties and opening of the border
without preconditions. Referring to the comments and opinions in Turkey
and Armenia that we are making concessions, Edward Nalbandian stated:
"I have an impression that we do not believe ourselves and we are not
sure of our strength. We do not believe that Armenia can really achieve
progress. We always think that if we have achieved something good,
then something bad should be hidden behind it. Or we think someone will
certa inly deceive us. Who will deceive? If you think it’s Turkey,
then Turkey will thus deceive itself, will deceive the international
community, the United States, Russia and the European Union. Our
aspiration is just and resolute: Armenia is willing to establish
full-fledged relations with Turkey without any preconditions. And
we have an impression that the Turkish authorities also wish to move
forward and normalize the relations between the two countries."

Asked to comment on the fact that the statement was made public
on April 22, on the eve of the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide victims, Minister Nalbandian said: "When we say normalization
of relations without preconditions, we mean that there are no
preconditions connected with the resolution of the Karabakh conflict
and the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The normalization of
relations in no way questions the fact of genocide. I do hope that
after we normalize relations, Turkish leaders will join the Armenian
authorities to lay a wreath at the memorial to the Armenian Genocide
victims in Tsitsernakaberd. Why can’t we do the same Charles de Gaulle
and Adenauer once did? I’m sure that the leaders of Armenia and Turkey
will once make take the same step."

Speaking about the road map, Minister Nalbandian said it is a very
simple agreement, a road map, which defines the steps the parties
should take, and this road map does not inclu de any provisions or
principles. The provisions and principles will be included in the
deal to be signed between the two sides.

Asked to comment on US President Barack Obama’s April 24th statement,
Edward Nalabndian said: "First, I should say that President Obama’s
statement was a step forward as compared to the speeches of his
predecessors. The speech includes some very strong points. President
Obama said he had consistently stated his own view of what occurred in
1915, and his view of that history had not changed. President Obama
used the expression "Mets Yeghern," which we often use ourselves as
a synonym of "genocide."