AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF TURKEY, AHMET DAVUTOGLU FROM THE PRESIDENT OF FORUM OF ARMENIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF EUROPE ASHOT GRIGORIAN

NOYAN TAPAN
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
BRATISLAVA

BRATISLAVA, FEBRUARY 11, NOYAN TAPAN-ARMENIANS TODAY. The President
of Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe Ashot Grigorian has sent
an open letter to the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu,
whish text gave also to Noyan Tapan.

It’s said in the open letter. "During the two presentations you
gave in London this January, in answer to the questions put forward
to you by the representative of the Forum of Armenian Associations
of Europe (FAAE), you stated twice that Turkey was not prepared to
ratify the Turkey-Armenia protocols if Armenians did not give up
their campaign for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915
and return to Azerbaijan the territories liberated by blood during the
war. Thus, the very fact numerous Armenian organisations in Europe and
around the world pointed out i.e. that despite the fact that Armenia
respecting the agreement did not incorporate any preconditions within
the protocols, whereas Turkey breaching the agreement will attempt to
create preconditions both for the Genocide as well as an issue between
a third country and Armenia has today turned out to be accurate.

Hence Turkey is not prepared to stop the blockade of the Armenian
border and is not prepared to establish good relations as a normal
neighbour and a country adhering to European standards and thus
resolve problems accumulated over a century with its important
neighbour. Meanwhile, Turkey presents itself as a country following
the path to democracy with great ambitions having taking upon itself
the important role of resolving many of the key issues in the region.

Your Excellency, please be assured that if Turkey does not ratify the
Armenian-Turkish protocols in the next few weeks, the international
community will objectively assess that fact and the European Armenian
organisations will enhance even further their struggle for the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide by more and more countries,
thus enlarging the geography of countries that have recognised the
Armenian Genocide. What is more, the FAAE will review its position on
Turkey’s accession to the EU and will take a firm decision against it.

Whilst we are aware that an open border is much more favourable to
Turkey than it is to Armenia, we nonetheless welcome the steps taken
by the presidents of the two neighbouring countries and we ask of
you not to impair but to aid the process.

We anticipate positive steps to be taken and the promises to be
honoured by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Turkey
with hope and faith.