‘ARMENIA WILL NOT STOP THE DIASPORA’, ARMENIAN FM
Hurriyet
Nov 25 2008
Turkey
ISTANBUL – Armenian foreign minister says they will never tell the
Armenian diaspora to stop their efforts to make the genocide claims
internationally recognized, however, he reiterates his country’s
commitment to the normalization process with Turkey, initiated with
President Gul’s visit to Armenia.
Armenian government will never tell its diaspora to making genocide
claims internationally recognized, despite the reconciliation process
that has started between Yerevan and Ankara. Armenia claims World
War I mass killings of Armenians at the hands of Ottomans amount to
genocide, an assertion categorically denied by modern Turkey.
"We never say, we will never say to our diaspora to stop the
recognition efforts of genocide," said Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian at a press conference yesterday at the headquarters
of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, or BSEC, in Istanbul. Nalbandian
came to Istanbul to visit the BSEC headquarters as Armenia assumed
the rotating presidency last month. After the press conference he
met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. This was the third
meeting after Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Armenian President
Robert Kocharian have instructed their respective ministers to start
dialogue for the normalization of relations.
"It was a wise decision for President Gul to come to the football
match in Yerevan," said Nalbandian, referring to the visit of Gul to
Yerevan to watch the match between the two national teams in September.
"There is a good atmosphere, an active dialogue for normal relations,"
said Armenian foreign minister prior to the meeting with his Turkish
counterpart. Nalbandian said Armenia has a positive approach to
the process and is expecting the same approach from the Turkish
side. Nalbandian reiterated the opening of borders between the
two countries and establishment of diplomatic relations without any
preconditions as the way to proceed on normalizing relations. "This is
not a favor that we are asking, it is in the interest of both sides,"
said Nalbandian.
Optimism from Armenia Although Turkey recognized the independence of
Armenia, it has not established diplomatic relations due to claims of
genocide and refused to open borders because of the Nagorno-Karabagh
problem, a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
a close ally of Turkey.
Turkey wants the establishment of a commission of experts to
investigate the events of 1915 and seeks a breakthrough on the
Nagorno-Karabagh issue before taking the decision to open borders
or establishing diplomatic relations. Although both sides seem to
disagree on how to proceed toward normal relations, the Armenian
foreign minister displayed optimism.
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan recently met at a summit hosted
by Russia, a meeting Nalbandian said was very constructive. He praised
the role of Russia as very constructive as well and said there could be
a new meeting between the officials of the two countries in December.
Meanwhile Nalbandian said the improvement of efficiency, effectiveness
and visibility of BSEC would be the major task of the Armenian
chairmanship.