Linking Genocide to Armenian-Turkish process unpromising for Turkey

Linking Armenian Genocide to Armenian-Turkish process is unpromising for Turkey

06.03.2010 12:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It was difficult for Armenia to begin the
reconciliation process with Turkey without recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey. However, Armenia stated that the Genocide
recognition by Turkey is not a precondition for launching the process,
Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia told the Armenian
Public Television.

"Linking the Armenian Genocide international recognition to the
Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is unpromising for Turkey," the
foreign minister of Armenia said.

"We have always acted honestly, openly, without ulterior motive,
mediators and the countries supporting this process witness it. We
stated what we did, and did what we said, " Nalbandian stressed.

Nalbandian refused to comment on those possible consequences to be
faced by Turkey if the Armenian-Turkish process would fail, noting
that at least the level of trust to Turkey will strongly reduce.

RA Foreign Minister recalled that the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation
was initiated by Armenia, and Yerevan received support of the
international community on this issue. "The whole world supported us
in this process. Our actions are understood by all countries, " the
minister said. According to him, in the case of failure Armenia in the
worst case will return to the situation before September 6, 2008
(visit of the Turkish President to Yerevan), but with enhanced
prestige in the international arena.

Yerevan has been the initiator of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation,
Nalbandian said, while Turkey has always been the responding party,
and now Armenia is awaiting a response from Turkey. "We hope this
answer would not become a victim of artificial excuses and will be
positive," the foreign minister said.