POLITICAL FORCES DISCUSS THE CURRENT STAGE OF ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS
armradio.am
17.09.2009 18:45
President Serzh Sargsyan today invited the leaders of political
parties to participate in the discussions on the "Current stage of
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations."
"With the publication of the joint statement on the normalization of
the Armenian-Turkish relations and the two protocols we have entered
a process, which is very positive and important," the President said
in his speech.
"By inviting the Turkish President to Armenia and initiating this
whole process, I had the purpose to open the window of opportunity
of normalization of bilateral relations for Armenia and Turkey, to
show that the nation subjected to genocide, and the state Armenia
are stable and have enough strength to stretch the hand first and
demonstrate the senselessness of moving counter to the rest of the
world," President Sargsyan noted.
According to the President, currently we are in the stage of
discussion, signing and possible ratification of the protocols. What
do we have today?
"We have two pre-signed documents and an active process. What do these
documents give us or take? On these days many people ask me which is
my minimum or maximum programme? I don’t consider the establishment
of diplomatic relations with Turkey or the opening of the border
a minimum or a maximum=2 0program. I think the utmost goal of this
process is to ensure an environment that will allow launching dialogue
with Turkey. We have a lot of problems to solve in the Armenian-Turkish
relations, ranging from economic and political to historical ones,"
the President noted.
According to President Sargsyan, no political force has declared to
be against normalization of relations with Turkey. "Therefore, let’s
understand who’s going to do what and what we are going to do together.
I think this is the most important," the President concluded.
Following President Serzh Sargsyan’s speech the discussions continued
behind closed doors and lasted for five hours.