Yerevan Expects EU Will Be Actively Involved in
Establish Relations Between Turkey and Armenia
PanARMENIAN.Net
23.12.2006 14:25 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Wall Street Journal has published Serge
Sargsyan’s, the Armenian Defense Minister’s article ‘Despite the
Genocide’, where he expressed hope that the EU during entry talks
with Turkey will demand from Ankara to normalize its relations with
Yerevan. The Defense Minister noticed that over the past few months,
attention in Europe has focused once again on the Genocide of the
Armenian people. The debate in the European Parliament over whether
Turkey’s recognition of the Genocide should be a precondition for
membership in the European Union, and the French National Assembly’s
bill criminalizing Genocide denial, have put the spotlight on this
tragic period of Armenia’s history.
"I want to look to the future and I hope that Turkey’s negotiations
for EU membership will provide the long-awaited opportunity for
our two countries to establish civilized relations for the benefit
of our peoples and the region. Armenia is part of the new European
Neighborhood Policy and is seeking closer ties with the EU. As the
country with the oldest Christian community in the world, we are a
neighbor to Europe, but also to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey,"
Sargsyan said. On his opinion, the Turkish-Armenian relations and
the Armenian Genocide are, of course, important factors that need
to be considered during Turkey’s negotiations for EU membership. "It
is important to remember the past to ensure that such crimes against
humanity are not repeated," the Defense Minister writes.
"We expect that the EU will be actively involved in establishing
relations between Armenia and Turkey," Sargsyan says. In his words,
Armenia has a very straightforward and practical position in terms
of future relations with Turkey. "We would welcome starting normal
diplomatic and other relations — without preconditions. That
includes not tying the establishment of diplomatic relations to
recognition of the genocide. More importantly, we want to profit from
such diplomatic relations as a means to overcome the issues that
burden our relations. We cannot expect solutions to come before we
start talking to each other. Solutions will only arise when we work
hard for them, starting by establishing an open dialogue," Sargsyan
underlined adding that Armenia wants Turkey to recognize that the
Armenian Genocide took place in past and must be condemned.
Serge Sargsyan reminded, that up till now Turkey refuses to establish
diplomatic relations with Yerevan, maintains closed borders with
Armenia despite growing international pressure and condemnation, throws
every effort into isolating landlocked Armenia from international and
regional transportation projects and does not play a constructive role
in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "While these policies contradict
contemporary principles of international relations and world order,
Armenia does not regard Turkey’s potential membership in the EU as
a threat to national security. Quite the contrary. We hope it will
mean that Turkey will change, and be in a better position to face
both its history and future. Neither Turks nor Armenians will leave
the region. The logical solution is to have normal relations with
each other.
That’s what neighbors seek to do in today’s world," underscored the
Armenian Defense Minister. Alongside he stressed that Armenia will
not seek to build relations with Turkey at any price. "I am repeating
that Armenia is ready to normalize relations without preconditions,"
Sargsyan said.
The Defense Minister closes his article with a call on Turkey. "We
cannot be permanent enemies — and even if we could, there is no
need or sense in being such enemies. So for the sake of our future,
let us move forward," Armenian Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan says,
reports the Armenian National Committee of Canada.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
