PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
Tel: (374-1) 52-35-31
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Statement on EU-Turkey Accession Talks
Armenia welcomes the December 15 vote of the European Parliament which
calls on the European Commission and the European Union Council to
demand that Turkey recognizes the historical reality of the Armenian
Genocide, and opens the border with Armenia without delay. As expected,
the decision of the European Council to begin accession talks in 2005
has been announced. Armenia hopes that the recommendations of the
European Parliament will be made part of the EU Turkey agenda.
We have frequently stated that Turkey¹s membership in the European
Union can be beneficial to Armenia and can have a positive impact
on the region, if Turkey meets all criteria. In this regard, Armenia
has asked the EU countries to take into consideration the fact that
Turkey continues to unilaterally keep the Armenian border closed, to
criminalize the use of the term genocide, and to place unacceptable
pre-conditions before beginning the process of normalizing relations
with Armenia.
The decision of the European Parliament demonstrates that the European
community understands and shares Armenia¹s concerns regarding the
present unacceptable state of Armenian-Turkish relations. This
situation, with all implied uncertainties, is a serious threat to the
development of the South Caucasus, as well as to European prospects.
We are convinced that if Turkey responds to the appeals of the European
community, then it will be much easier to overcome all obstacles and
secure stability and prosperity for our region. That would also be a
strong signal that Turkey is ready to enter the European Union with
a clean slate.
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