ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE CLOSED ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDERS IS A SEPARATING LINE, THE LAST CLOSED BORDER OF EUROPE AND CANNOT LAST LONG
ARMENPRESS
Nov 24, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS: In the quickly changing world
everyone wishes new relations which are not build on separating lines.
The closed Armenian-Turkish borders is a separating line, is the last
closed border of Europe and cannot last long, Armenian deputy foreign
minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said in an interview to Armenpress.
According to him, the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is
of those exclusive issues over which there is no conflict of interests
of the big states. It may be testified not only with the statements of
the three power centers – USA, Russia, EU but other states as well. "We
may say that besides Azerbaijan, all the states even if they have not
expressed positively their viewpoint, have adopted neutral position,"
the deputy minister said.
"Many think that this contradicts to the interests of Iran: I do
not think that it is so: the better is the region predictable the
better will be for Iran. The programs we have with Iran must get new
impetus. There is one issue here – the region has become a hostage of
Azerbaijan’s caprice connected with the variety of communication and
economic programs as Azerbaijan does not have foreign policy but it
has inner propaganda which has become an outside one being dictated to
the whole region. The goal is one to isolate, blockade Armenia, loosen
Nagorno Karabakh Republic, oblige such a solution which is favorable
for Azerbaijan, and Turkey is involved in it. The circumstance that
Turkey started this process irrespective of further developments,
witnesses that Turkey understood that such approach has no prospect
and it will lose more from it, it remains Azerbaijan to understand
it," Shavarsh Kocharyan pointed out. From that point of view everyone
understood that the region must not be an explosion hazard circle which
threatens the general stability but a stable developing territory.
"Understanding both our interests and Turkey’s strive we must go to
it with dignity. Two points are unequivocal – we will not let linking
Armenian-Turkish relations with Karabakh conflict issue and will never
let put the fact of Genocide under doubt," the deputy minister said.
Referring to speculations, as if the normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations is artificially being dragged by Turkey, Shavarsh Kocharyan
said that at this moment it is early to speak about dragging. The
coming two-three months will show in what direction the developments
will go. He said the reasonable timeframe is decided by the parties,
mediators and international community. To speak about the artificial
slowing down of the process is early as all the necessary inner-state
procedures have been applied. The protocols are presented to the
parliament of Turkey for the discussion of the foreign relations
commission. The commission must present the conclusion in midst
of December. In Armenia too the inner state procedures have
started. Armenian Constitutional Court must examine the relevance
of the documents to the Armenian Constitution. It is logical to
wait that this step be undertaken by Turkey as twice this country
tried to step back from its commitments. "First time it was in early
April as during that time the political consultations were to take
place but were postponed till September. Turkey stepped back from its
commitments, which was obvious for all the mediators. With its second
step Turkey essentially "impoverished" the signing ceremony in Zurich
as the intended speeches were not voiced. The Turkish foreign minister
tried to make such comments in his speech which contradicted both the
arrangements and spirit and goals of the protocols. After these two
precedents it is very natural that both Armenia and the international
community will consider it logical that the first notable step must
be made by Turkey," the deputy foreign minister said.