Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 4 2010

Turkish-Armenian relations have no connection with country’s accession
to EU: president (UPDATE)
04.01.2010 18:09

The normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relations has no connection
with country’s accession to the European Union, Turkish President
Abdullah Gul said in an interview CNN Türk.

"Turkish-Armenian, North Cyprus questions have no connection with
Turkey’s accession to the EU," Gul said.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10.

Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due
to Armenia’s claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993.
In addition to the so-called "Armenian genocide" in 1915, Armenia has
voiced territorial claims on TurkishAnatolia.

Gul also said that some forces in Europe intend to exploit Turkey,
stating that these problems present obstacle to Ankara’s accession to
the EU.

Gul said that Turkey wants to solve these problems even if the country
would not have the question of membership to the EU.

Gul also stated that the existence of stability and peace in Caucasus
is very important.

"Caucasus should not be a wall dividing East and West, the protracted
conflicts should be resolved in the region," Gul said.

According to the President, Turkey pursues transparent policy in the region.