K. GHAZINIAN SAYS ARMENIA AND TURKEY GO FORWARD WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS

ARMENPRESS
SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
YEREVAN

In today’s discussions on the protocols signed between Armenia and
Turkey in the Ararat and Vayots Dzor provinces the Armenian Deputy
Foreign Affairs Minister Karine Ghazinian also took part.

She welcomed conduction of community discussions and noted that
she heard numerous interesting opinions and conclusions from the
participants. "The issue of Armenian-Turkish relations concerns
everyone including the Diaspora. I have the following conclusion
on this issue: the Armenian-Turkish border must by all means be
opened. Discussions round my table also showed that the border must
surely be opened. There were people troubled about the difficulties,
the opening of Armenian-Turkish border may create, at the same time
opinions sounded that there will be mechanisms regulating them,"
she said. As one of the positive sides of opening of the border
K. Ghazinian pointed out to the fact that Armenia will have an exit
to the world not only through Georgia, which is very expensive,
but also through Turkey, which is much cheaper.

"There were also discussions on the issue of recognition of the
Genocide; our nation must be sure that it is not an issue for
bargaining, that’s why the protocol ensuring the Presidents of
the two states without preconditions go towards the improvement
and establishment of diplomatic relations is considered a crucial
one," the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister said. With the support of
"Eurasia" Partnership Foundation the "International center for human
development" NGO has initiated community discussions to fully involve
the Armenian citizens of the provinces in the discussions ongoing
round the protocols on regulation of relations between Armenia and
Turkey and establishment of diplomatic ties.