Edward Nalbandian: Karabakh should not be tied to Armenia-Turkey
relations
armradio.am
19.09.2009 12:00
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that the
Armenian-Turkish border will not open until the Karabakh conflict is
resolved. Asked to comment on the statement, the Foreign Minister of
Armenia, Edward Nalbandian said:
`The Turkish side has been informed and we are certain that they know
that we are against steps for the resolution of the Karabakh conflict
to be addressed within the framework of normalization of
Turkish-Armenian relations,’ said Nalbandian.
According to the Foreign Minister, efforts to tie the two together can
hinder both processes. `Many countries have the same position, among
them the Minsk Groups co-chair countries, who have announced on several
occasions that normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey
must take place without precondition,’ Nalbandian announced.
`With this understanding we have started the talks and have arrived at
the agreements reflected in the pre-signed protocols. If the Turkish
leadership has problems with signing the protocols, then it must not
attempt to address those concerns by going against the goals, the
letter and spirit of the documents,’ Nalbandian added.
`The signing and implementation of the agreed upon protocols is a
process fraught with complications. However, Armenia is ready to
respect the agreements, in order to move forward,’ explained Nalbandian.
`If the current Turkish authorities are unable to recognize the fact of
the Genocide during the Ottoman Empire, then the least they can do is
to show respect toward the survivors of the Genocide and their
children,’ Nalbandian concluded.