ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS NOT LINKED TO THE KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
Lusine Vasilyan
‘Radiolur’
03.09.2009 11:44
On August 31 the Armenian-Turkish relations reached an important
phase. The year started with a new stage of relations. Despite
difficulties, Yerevan and Ankara managed to demonstrate political
will to move forward, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told a
press conference in Yerevan. "The world approves the Armenia-Turkey
rapprochement. Superpowers urge Turkey and Armenia to move on and
fulfill agreements entered within shortest terms. I hope, we’ll make
progress, as the rapprochement is supported by the whole world,"
Minister Nalbandian noted.
Edward Nalbandian also noted that though Yerevan and Ankara reached
an important phase, the process requires serious efforts. "Armenia
wants to normalize ties with Turkey. We’re ready to fulfill agreements
entered.
Time will show if both parties are able to fulfill them," the Foreign
Minister stated.
Armenian government repeatedly stated that in case agreements are
reached between Armenia and Turkey, the agreements will be submitted
to public discussion. "Armenian people understand that eternal enmity
with Turkey is against our interests," he emphasized.
Joint statement of RA and Turkey as well as protocols on establishment
of diplomatic relations clearly state that the parties respect
international norms and principles. There9s no mention of Kars
agreement in Armenian-Turkish rapprochement protocols, and there’s
no need to look for something the documents simply don’t contain,
Minister Nalbandian stated.
"As we repeatedly stated, intergovernmental committee to be
created will discuss all issues on Armenian-Turkish relations. The
committee will include several subcommittees, one of them in charge
of restoration of trust between the two countries,"Edward Nalbandian
noted. According to him, negotiations with Ankara did not include
discussions on Armenian Genocide, neither was the issue mentioned in
the protocols.
As for the Karabakh issue, the Foreign Ministre said it’s not linked
to the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.
"There were attempts to link the two processes, but as you might see
upon protocols’ publication, there’s no connection between them.
Both Armenia and MG OSCE Co-chairs repeatedly stated the fact,"
Edward Nalbandian emphasized. According to the Foreign Minister,
Ankara’s attempts to link the two processes are illogical.