Armenia urges EU summit to consider Turkey accession demands
Mediamax news agency
17 Dec 04
Yerevan, 17 December: Armenia “welcomes the decision of the European
Parliament calling on the European Commission and the European Union
(EU) to demand that the Turkish authorities recognize the historical
fact of the genocide of Armenians and immediately open its border
with Armenia,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement
circulated in the evening of 16 December in Yerevan.
“Turkey’s EU membership can be beneficial for Armenia and have a
positive impact on the region, if Ankara entirely complies with all
EU demands,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry statement says.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry recalled that Turkey was unilaterally
keeping its border with Armenia closed, had introduced criminal
responsibility for the use of the term “genocide” and was also putting
forward unacceptable preliminary conditions for the normalization of
relations with Armenia.
“Judging by the European Parliament’s decision, the European community
shares Armenia’s concern over the current unacceptable state of
Armenian-Turkish relations,” the statement says. “With all of its
uncertainty this situation is a serious danger for the development
of the South Caucasus as well as European prospects,” the Armenian
Foreign Ministry statement says.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry also said it wished for “the EU summit
to take into account with all seriousness and responsibility the call
of the European Parliament”. Yerevan “is convinced that if Turkey
listens to the calls of the European community, this will make it
easier to overcome all obstacles and ensure lasting stability and
the development of the region”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress