ARFD: NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR STATE’S INDEPENDENCE AND VIABILITY INADMISSIBLE
DeFacto Agency
Sept 11 2008
Armenia
YEREVAN, 11.09.08. DE FACTO. An extraordinary plenary sitting of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun – Bureau was held
in Yerevan on September 9-10. The main topics of the discussion are
a complicated military and political situation created in our region
and Armenian-Turkish relations.
According to the ARFD Press Office, "discussing inner and outer
challenges Armenia has faced ARFD Bureau plenary sitting has considered
it necessary to call the public’s attention to ARFD’s some principal
approaches in the issue referring to interstate Armenian-Turkish
relations: a) As neighboring states, Armenia and Turkey should make
efforts to normalize interrelation. However, we are convinced that
good-neighborly relations can be established only with Turkey’s
recognition of Armenian Genocide and the restoration of Armenian
nation’s rights. Liquidation of a blockade without preconditions and
establishment of diplomatic relations can become just first steps on
the way.
b) Initiative undertaken by President of the Republic of Armenia,
meetings of Presidents and FMs should be followed by certain positive
steps on Turkey’s part. ARF Dashnaktsutyun will actively see to it
that official meetings do not represent purely propaganda possibilities
for Turkey.
c) ARFD considers normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations at the
expense of our state’s independence and viability and generations’
national and state rights quite inadmissible.
d) Turkey can claim regional initiative if it crucially changes its
policy regarding Armenia. It should not be partial in Artsakh issue
and should not speak with Armenia on the language of preconditions,
as well as should deny policy of deepening separating lines, blockade
and isolation in South Caucasus.
e) Since 1998 Armenia has been pursuing foreign policy basing on the
national and state ideology, one of strategic directions of which is
general (in part, from Turkey’s side) recognition and condemnation of
Armenian Genocide. Armenia does not consider it from the viewpoint
of historical justice’s recognition only, but also in the context
of improving atmosphere of mutual trust in the region and prevention
from such crimes in the future.