EU LEADER URGES TURKEY, ARMENIA TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS

Anadolu Agency
April 6 2010
Turkey

Brussels, 6 April: Catherine Ashton, EU’s high representative for
foreign affairs, called on Turkey and Armenia to ratify and implement
the bilateral protocols without preconditions and in a reasonable
timeframe.

In a statement, Ashton, who is also vice-president of the European
Commission, said [on] Tuesday [6 April] that the European Union
encourages Armenia and Turkey to remain committed to the process
of normalization.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols on 10 October 2009 to normalize
relations between the two countries. The protocols, which have to be
ratified by parliaments of both countries, envisage the two countries
to establish diplomatic ties and open the border that has been closed
since 1993.

"In this context, the EU welcomes the decision of the Armenian
president to submit both protocols to the parliament, as well as the
recent declaration by the president of Turkey to remain committed to
the normalization of relations with Armenia," Ashton said.

"The European Union believes that the full normalization of bilateral
relations between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution
to security, stability and cooperation in the southern Caucasus. The
EU will continue to provide its political and technical support to
this process and stands ready to help implementing the steps agreed
between the two countries," she said.