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AZG Armenian Daily #082, 06/05/2005
Armenia-Turkey
'OPENING OF THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDERS WILL BE A VERY POSITIVE
DEVELOPMENT'
Heikki Talvitie Calls for Armenia to Be Consequent in Yerevan- Ankara
Relations
Vartan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, didn't confirm the information that RA
President and Turkish Prime Minister are going to meet in Moscow or Warsaw.
Vartan Oskanian stated in the press conference with Talvitie that Yerevan
got no official suggestion for that and the Armenian side didn't take such
an initiative.
Oskanian emphasized that the Turkish press began actively write about such a
meeting recently and "it's hard to say whether that is the direct suggestion
of the Turkish authorities, or the supposition of the Turkish journalists."
Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister said that his meeting with Kocharian is
quite possible to take place. He added that but nothing concrete has been
decided yet. "That is possible, but we haven't envisaged anything yet.,"
Abdullah Gul said.
Heikki Talvitie emphasized that the Armenian -Turkish relation will have
certain impact of the negotiations for Turkey's membership to EU. He said
that the exchange of letters between Kocharian and Erdogan as an initial
stage of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. He added that EU is ready to
contribute to development of that dialogue.
On the other hand, Talvitie said that Armenia should be consequent in its
efforts. He said that Yerevan should suggest a formula for improving the
relations with Ankara. "The opening of the Armenian-Turkish borders will be
a very positive development. I would like to call for the Armenian side to
be more consequent," he said.
On April 10 Erdogan suggested Kocharian to create a group of historians to
study the events and the developments of the past in the archives of
Armenia, Turkey and a third country. Ra president said in reply that it
would be better to establish natural relations between the two countries.
US President and German Chancellor backed Erdogan's proposal. What's the
EU's position on Erdogan's proposal? Heikki Talvitie stated yesterday that
EU does not have a clear stance on Turkey's proposal. On the other hand, he
says, "if the sides unify their positions, we'll greet their decision".
Armenian foreign minister noted that the Armenian side perfectly understands
what Turkey pursues by its proposal. Concerning Shroder's positive
evaluation of the proposal, Oskanian said that the German Chancellor did so
only after he learnt that Bundestag discussed the Genocide issues and
recognized Germany's responsibility in the Genocide. Oskanian recalled
Shroder saying, "a nation should have self-critical view on its history".
Oskanian opined that "European leaders think that by the proposal of
creating a commission Turkey wants to open dark pages of its history but not
argue about Genocide's historicity". "European leaders take it as an attempt
to put up with history", Oskanian said.
During his Turkey visit a few days ago, Shroder stated, "We want to see
Armenian-Turkish relations improved. Germany is ready to do everything in
its power and will open its archives before historians". He also mentioned
that the genocide issue will never be a precondition for Turkey's EU
accession and "no referendum in any country will stymie Turkey's membership"
Referring to Turkish Anatolia agency, Mediamax informed that 2 separate
commissions, one comprised of historians, the other of government
representatives, may be set. Ankara considers that Russian, British and
German colleagues may well join the works of the commission.
European Union special representative for the South Caucasus met yesterday
President Robert Kocharian and NA speaker Artur Baghdasarian. They discussed
Armenia-EU relations, Nagorno Karabakh regulation and Armenia-Turkey
relations.
By Tatoul Hakobian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenia-Turkey
'OPENING OF THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDERS WILL BE A VERY POSITIVE
DEVELOPMENT'
Heikki Talvitie Calls for Armenia to Be Consequent in Yerevan- Ankara
Relations
Vartan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, didn't confirm the information that RA
President and Turkish Prime Minister are going to meet in Moscow or Warsaw.
Vartan Oskanian stated in the press conference with Talvitie that Yerevan
got no official suggestion for that and the Armenian side didn't take such
an initiative.
Oskanian emphasized that the Turkish press began actively write about such a
meeting recently and "it's hard to say whether that is the direct suggestion
of the Turkish authorities, or the supposition of the Turkish journalists."
Yesterday, Turkish Foreign Minister said that his meeting with Kocharian is
quite possible to take place. He added that but nothing concrete has been
decided yet. "That is possible, but we haven't envisaged anything yet.,"
Abdullah Gul said.
Heikki Talvitie emphasized that the Armenian -Turkish relation will have
certain impact of the negotiations for Turkey's membership to EU. He said
that the exchange of letters between Kocharian and Erdogan as an initial
stage of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue. He added that EU is ready to
contribute to development of that dialogue.
On the other hand, Talvitie said that Armenia should be consequent in its
efforts. He said that Yerevan should suggest a formula for improving the
relations with Ankara. "The opening of the Armenian-Turkish borders will be
a very positive development. I would like to call for the Armenian side to
be more consequent," he said.
On April 10 Erdogan suggested Kocharian to create a group of historians to
study the events and the developments of the past in the archives of
Armenia, Turkey and a third country. Ra president said in reply that it
would be better to establish natural relations between the two countries.
US President and German Chancellor backed Erdogan's proposal. What's the
EU's position on Erdogan's proposal? Heikki Talvitie stated yesterday that
EU does not have a clear stance on Turkey's proposal. On the other hand, he
says, "if the sides unify their positions, we'll greet their decision".
Armenian foreign minister noted that the Armenian side perfectly understands
what Turkey pursues by its proposal. Concerning Shroder's positive
evaluation of the proposal, Oskanian said that the German Chancellor did so
only after he learnt that Bundestag discussed the Genocide issues and
recognized Germany's responsibility in the Genocide. Oskanian recalled
Shroder saying, "a nation should have self-critical view on its history".
Oskanian opined that "European leaders think that by the proposal of
creating a commission Turkey wants to open dark pages of its history but not
argue about Genocide's historicity". "European leaders take it as an attempt
to put up with history", Oskanian said.
During his Turkey visit a few days ago, Shroder stated, "We want to see
Armenian-Turkish relations improved. Germany is ready to do everything in
its power and will open its archives before historians". He also mentioned
that the genocide issue will never be a precondition for Turkey's EU
accession and "no referendum in any country will stymie Turkey's membership"
Referring to Turkish Anatolia agency, Mediamax informed that 2 separate
commissions, one comprised of historians, the other of government
representatives, may be set. Ankara considers that Russian, British and
German colleagues may well join the works of the commission.
European Union special representative for the South Caucasus met yesterday
President Robert Kocharian and NA speaker Artur Baghdasarian. They discussed
Armenia-EU relations, Nagorno Karabakh regulation and Armenia-Turkey
relations.
By Tatoul Hakobian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress