TURKEY-ARMENIA ACCORD CONCERNS EUROPE

United Press International UPI
April 27 2010

BRUSSELS, April 27 (UPI) — A decision by Armenia to suspend
ratification of a treaty aimed at normalizing relations with Turkey
is cause for concern, the European Union said.

The ruling coalition in Armenia issued a statement Monday saying
it halted ratification of an accord signed in October because of a
refusal by Turkey to move ahead with the deal without preconditions.

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign
Affairs in the European Union, said through her office that the EU
was "pleased" that Armenia remains committed to normalization. "But
at the same time expresses concern about the loss of momentum in
this process."

Ashton said the European Union calls on both countries to remain
steadfast in the normalization process "without preconditions and in
a reasonable time frame."

Armenia accuses Turkey of committing genocide against its population
during the Ottoman Empire. Recent ties are strained further over
issues regarding the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, an area of dispute
between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Armenia is upset that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is
linking the normalization process to Nagorno-Karabakh.

"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," Ashton added.