U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CONFIRMS AGAIN THAT KARABAKH AND ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROCESSES SHOULD NOT BE LINKED

ArmInfo
2009-12-01 11:33:00

ArmInfo. Philip H. Gordon, Assistant Secretary for Bureau of European
and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State, said in a press
conference in Ankara that the USA does not link the Karabakh peace
process and the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process.

"This really is a historic process and from which both sides could
benefit immensely. We applaud the courage and vision of the leaders
on both sides. We know this wasn’t easy. There is lot of opposition
in Turkey, there is lot opposition in Armenia and yet the leaders
were insightful enough and bold enough to make the case that this is
in their interest and go and sign the protocols. We supported that
process and we applaud their agreement to do so. We would like to see
it move forward. The protocols have been referred to Parliaments for
ratification and obviously they need to be ratified before they are
implemented. If they can be ratified and implemented then this can lead
to open borders, more trade, prosperity and peace among neighbors. So,
that’s why we are so strongly supportive of this process," he said.

Asked about the Karabakh conflict, Philip Gordon said: "We
don’t link the two issues because we think that they are both,
that Turkey-Armenia normalization is important and a good thing
in its own right. It shouldn’t be linked to anything else and we
also support Nagorno-Karabakh settlement because we think it would
benefit both parties and it doesn’t need to be linked to anything
else. So we are actively working as co-chairs of the Minsk group on
the Nagorno-Karabakh solution, regardless of anything else."