MKHITARYAN: BORDER REOPENING DOESN’T THREATEN ARMENIA’S SECURITY

Aysor.am
Wednesday, October 07

"The Armenian-Turkish border reopening doesn’t pose any real threat
to Armenia," said at today’s press-conference Advisor of Secretary
of National Security Council Rafik Mkhitaryan.

"Process of Armenian-Turkish relations’ settlement is an ordinary one
which calls for a caution and wide-political view since we negotiate
not with just a neighbor but with a nation that carries very heavy
and fearful burden unwilling to get rid of this and to realize its
role in history objectively."

>From this position, thinks Mr. Mkhitaryan, there are enough
difficulties which can be overcome.

"We have to follow this way – of negotiating and settling diplomatic
ties, as we are doomed to live in this region. Leaving for our next
generations a legacy of enmity and hatred and possible war is out of
Armenians’ interest."

He mentioned that Armenia and Turkey can establish good-neighborhood
relations in economy, culture, and so on without keeping friendship.

"Sooner or later it must be first step be taken, and it is taken. I
don’t observe any danger."

Speaking about the Armenian-Turkish protocols, he noted that he
didn’t see in the papers any item related to the settlement of the
Karabakh problem.

"Issue of Karabakh is beyond these relations. Nevertheless, it’s
important to be careful as diplomacy contains many invisible things
and pitfalls which we must bypass," said Rafik Mkhitaryan, finally
noting that Armenian people’s interest is the first and foremost.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress