CONGRESSMAN ISSA SUGGESTS RUSSIA & IRAN ARE USING ARMENIA TO AVOID SANCTIONS
Virtual Press Office
Feb 13 2015
Turkish Institute for Progress Suggests Stronger Turkish-Armenian
Bilateral Relationship to Avoid Foreign Policy Shift
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — At the U.S. House
of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Hearing Wednesday,
Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA-49) raised questions about Armenia’s
banking relationship with Iran. In the Hearing, entitled, State Sponsor
of Terror: The Global Threat of Iran, the Congressman stated in part,
“…Armenia’s banking relationship with Iran, authorized, pushed
prodded and cajoled by Russia is new and concerning…”
Members of the Turkish Institute for Progress attended the Hearing
and are suggesting that by participating in a formal dialogue and
exploring more partnership with Turkey, Armenia can reclaim its
national sovereignty, be truly independent from Tehran and Moscow,
and prevent alienating itself from the west by allowing Iran and
Russia to, Congressman Issa asserts, circumvent US sanctions.
At the Hearing Mr. Issa stated, “Today’s hearing is important, but
it is not new. We will say a great many things, but very few of them
will be new. Certainly, questions about Armenia’s banking relationship
with Iran, authorized, pushed prodded and cajoled by Russia is new
and concerning.” He further stated, “I look forward to questions,
particularly questions about Russia’s involvement through Armenia in
the backdoor circumvention of the sanctions that are in place today.”
“Congressman Issa touched on some deeply troubling revelations,
however, we believe that a stronger Turkish-Armenian bilateral
relationship is a viable option to stabilize the balance of power
in the region, and we hope Armenia will join us in exploring ways to
avoid a foreign policy shift Mr. Issa suggests,” stated Derya Berk,
President of the Turkish Institute for Progress. “We welcome an
opportunity to work together with the Armenian community to explore
ways to work in the spirit of cooperation and for the greater good
of Turks and Armenians across the globe.”
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SOURCE Turkish Institute for Progress