WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER FOR ARMENIA NOT TO BECOME HOSTAGE TO TURKEY
PanArmenian
April 17 2009
Armenia
"Opening the border with Armenia, Turkey can close it any moment,
rendering Armenia fully isolated and left with no alternative route,"
Armenian historian, RA National Academy of Sciences Director Ashot
Melkonyan told a news conference in Yerevan. "Georgia’s concern over
possible opening of Armenian-Turkish border is justified: cargos will
be sent to Armenia through Trabzon and Iskenderun instead of Poti. But
here lies the danger: Turks can any time refuse us the transit. They
opened the airspace for Armenia-Europe and Armenia-Middle East flights,
but no one can guarantee it will last forever," Melkonyan noted.
He also emphasized that it’s necessary to legally protect Armenian
farmers’ rights, who might find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy,
being unable to compete with cheap Turkish vegetables’ importers.
"In 1993 Turkey closed the border, so Turkey itself should open
it. Still, we have to do everything in our power for Armenia not to
become hostage to Turkey. My opinion is connections with Turkey should
be brought to a minimum. Closers relation with Turkey might bring
to deplorable results and our history is the best proof of this,"
RA National Academy of Sciences Director said.