Armenian FM: Connecting normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations
with Karabakh conflict settlement process, both of them may be failed
2009-09-19 16:17:00
ArmInfo. Connecting normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations
with the Karabakh conflict settlement process, both of them may be
failed, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan said when
commenting on the last statement by Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan regarding the Armenian- Turkish reconciliation, Karabakh
conflict and Armenian Diaspora. "The Turkish party is informed, and we
are sure it realizes that we rule out a possibility of connecting
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations with the steps towards
solution of the Karabakh problem. Trying to connect these two
processes, both of them may be failed", Nalbandyan said.
According to him, many other countries, including OSCE MG
cochair-countries, adhere to the similar stance. These countries have
multiply claimed that settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations
should proceed without preconditions. "If the Turkish authorities are
not ready today to recognize the fact of the Armenian Genocide, at
least they have to treat the people, who lived through the Genocide,
and their descendants with respect", E. Nalbandyan emphasized.
To note, during the events dedicated to Ramadan, with participation of
the Turkish media heads, prime minister of Turkey also touched on the
issue of Armenia-Turkey relations, among other issues. Erdogan said, in
particular: "We shall not open the border unless the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is settled. We told them about it.
Aliyev-Medvedev- Sargsyan meetings have become frequent. Now we are
close to solution of the Karabakh problem. OSCE MG activity should
intensify. The process of settlement of relations with Armenia, having
been started under mediation of Switzerland, moved forward, however,
the Minsk Group should speed-up its work. We shall not make a step
without solution of this issue. It is also necessary for Armenia to get
rid of the Diaspora’s influence. The Diaspora is of no use to Armenia".