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ARMENIA URGES UNCONDITIONAL NORMALIZATION OF TIES WITH TURKEY
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Dec 25 2006
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian stated over the weekend that
Yerevan stands for an unconditional normalization of ties with Turkey,
which includes not tying the establishment of diplomatic relations
to recognition of the Armenian genocide claims.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Sarkisian, who is tipped to
succeed current Armenian President Robert Kocharian in 2008, stated
that Turkey's membership in the European Union would strengthen
Armenia's national security and bring the South Caucasus nation
"geopolitically closer to Europe." He stressed that Ankara's ongoing
accession talks with the EU represent a new "long-awaited opportunity"
to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations.
In line with his argument, Sarkisian urged the Union to exert efforts
for normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, saying,
"We look forward to the EU becoming increasingly involved in finding
a way to a breakthrough for relations between Turkey and Armenia."
"In addition to building diplomatic ties between our two countries,
we believe that in negotiating for membership -- and perhaps as a
future EU member state -- Turkey will contribute to an economically
stronger and more stable neighborhood," he said. "This is in the
interest of both Turkey and Armenia.
"EU membership would also make Turkey much more predictable. It is
always easier to deal with a predictable neighbor."
President Kocharian argued in October that the accession talks will
put Turkey under growing Western pressure to normalize relations with
Armenia and reconsider its stance towards Armenian genocide claims.
"In that sense, we don't see any dangers in that process. Perhaps
quite the opposite," he said.
Sarkisian made a similar point, saying, "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."
"The entry negotiations hold seeds of hope that the impasse between
Turkey and Armenia can eventually be broken. If Turkey lifts the
blockade of its border with Armenia, my small country becomes
geopolitically closer to Europe," he added.
The New Anatolian, Turkey
Dec 25 2006
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian stated over the weekend that
Yerevan stands for an unconditional normalization of ties with Turkey,
which includes not tying the establishment of diplomatic relations
to recognition of the Armenian genocide claims.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Sarkisian, who is tipped to
succeed current Armenian President Robert Kocharian in 2008, stated
that Turkey's membership in the European Union would strengthen
Armenia's national security and bring the South Caucasus nation
"geopolitically closer to Europe." He stressed that Ankara's ongoing
accession talks with the EU represent a new "long-awaited opportunity"
to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations.
In line with his argument, Sarkisian urged the Union to exert efforts
for normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, saying,
"We look forward to the EU becoming increasingly involved in finding
a way to a breakthrough for relations between Turkey and Armenia."
"In addition to building diplomatic ties between our two countries,
we believe that in negotiating for membership -- and perhaps as a
future EU member state -- Turkey will contribute to an economically
stronger and more stable neighborhood," he said. "This is in the
interest of both Turkey and Armenia.
"EU membership would also make Turkey much more predictable. It is
always easier to deal with a predictable neighbor."
President Kocharian argued in October that the accession talks will
put Turkey under growing Western pressure to normalize relations with
Armenia and reconsider its stance towards Armenian genocide claims.
"In that sense, we don't see any dangers in that process. Perhaps
quite the opposite," he said.
Sarkisian made a similar point, saying, "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."
"The entry negotiations hold seeds of hope that the impasse between
Turkey and Armenia can eventually be broken. If Turkey lifts the
blockade of its border with Armenia, my small country becomes
geopolitically closer to Europe," he added.