ARF ANNOUNCES POSITION ON ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS
ARP Press Service
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
YEREVAN (ARF Press Service)–The Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s
governing Bureau held a special plenary session in Yerevan from
September 9 to 10, where it discussed the complicated military and
political situation created in the region due to the continuing
showdown between Russia and Georgia. The ARF Bureau also discussed
the latest developments in Armenian-Turkish relations.
After thoroughly discussing the internal and external challenges
facing Armenia, the ARF Bureau thought it important to draw the
public’s attention to several of the ARF’s fundamental positions
regarding Armenian-Turkish relations.
Armenia and Turkey, as neighboring states, must work toward the
normalization of bilateral relations. However, we are convinced
that good neighborly relations can only be established after the
recognition by Turkey of the Armenian Genocide and the restoration
of the rights of the Armenian people. The unconditional lifting of
the blockade and the establishment of diplomatic relations can only
serve as first steps on this path.
The initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia and the
subsequent meetings of the Presidents and Ministers of Foreign Affairs
must be followed by concrete positive steps by Turkey. The ARF will
actively strive to ensure that official meetings do not become merely
propaganda opportunities for Turkey.
It is totally unacceptable for the ARF that Armenian-Turkish relations
be normalized at the expense of Armenia’s sovereignty, viability of
its existence or the national and state rights of future Armenian
generations.
Turkey can aspire to promote regional initiatives if it radically
changes its "Armenian policy." Turkey must not be party in the to the
Karabakh conflict resolution process; it should not talk to Armenia
with preconditions, and must relinquish its policy of deepening the
divisions in the South Caucasus, of blockading and isolating Armenia.
Since 1998 Armenia is pursuing a foreign policy based on national-state
ideology, one strategic direction of which is the universal
recognition and condemnation, including by Turkey, of the Armenian
Genocide. Armenia views this not only as a restoration of historical
justice, but also as a way to improve the overall situation and mutual
trust in the region, thus preventing similar crimes in the future.
The ARF has considered and considers the continuation of this direction
one of its fundamental tasks.