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GENOCIDE RECOGNITION REMAINS ON ARMENIAN FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA,
DEPUTY FM MINISTER SAYS
ArmenPress
Sept 15 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Speaking at public discussions
today, organized by Public Dialogue and Initiatives Center to look
into political prerequisites for opening the Turkish-Armenian border,
Armenian deputy foreign affairs minister Ruben Shugarian reaffirmed
that the recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide by Turkey remained
on Armenia's foreign policy agenda, but added that Armenia did
not look at it as a condition for normalization of relations with
Ankara and establishment of diplomatic relations. He said Armenia's
commitment to seek international acknowledgment and condemnation of
the 1915 genocide is viewed not only in the context of restoration of
the historical truth, but also in the context of reciprocal regional
confidence, security and prevention of such crimes in future.
He said a series of various-level meetings between Armenian and
Turkish foreign ministries' representatives was important as they
provide an environment to discuss the most sensitive questions and
exchange views on regional and international developments. Pointing
out the attempts of both nations' non-governmental organizations,
universities and businessmen to establish contacts, he said the
existing problems can be solved only on government level.
He also spoke about economic figures, saying that despite the absence
of diplomatic relations, trade turnout between the two countries is
growing yearly. Until 1995 Armenian exports prevailed over Turkish
imports, now the picture is different. According to official figures,
the amount of Turkish imports last year stood at almost $37 million,
while Armenian exports made only $1.1 million. In 2002 Armenian exports
amounted to $1.5 million. At the end of his speech he singled out US
and EU mediation efforts aimed at the opening of the border.
DEPUTY FM MINISTER SAYS
ArmenPress
Sept 15 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: Speaking at public discussions
today, organized by Public Dialogue and Initiatives Center to look
into political prerequisites for opening the Turkish-Armenian border,
Armenian deputy foreign affairs minister Ruben Shugarian reaffirmed
that the recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide by Turkey remained
on Armenia's foreign policy agenda, but added that Armenia did
not look at it as a condition for normalization of relations with
Ankara and establishment of diplomatic relations. He said Armenia's
commitment to seek international acknowledgment and condemnation of
the 1915 genocide is viewed not only in the context of restoration of
the historical truth, but also in the context of reciprocal regional
confidence, security and prevention of such crimes in future.
He said a series of various-level meetings between Armenian and
Turkish foreign ministries' representatives was important as they
provide an environment to discuss the most sensitive questions and
exchange views on regional and international developments. Pointing
out the attempts of both nations' non-governmental organizations,
universities and businessmen to establish contacts, he said the
existing problems can be solved only on government level.
He also spoke about economic figures, saying that despite the absence
of diplomatic relations, trade turnout between the two countries is
growing yearly. Until 1995 Armenian exports prevailed over Turkish
imports, now the picture is different. According to official figures,
the amount of Turkish imports last year stood at almost $37 million,
while Armenian exports made only $1.1 million. In 2002 Armenian exports
amounted to $1.5 million. At the end of his speech he singled out US
and EU mediation efforts aimed at the opening of the border.