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Oskanian Participates In 44th Munich Security Conference

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  • Oskanian Participates In 44th Munich Security Conference

    OSKANIAN PARTICIPATES IN THE 44th MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE

    Lragir
    Feb 12 2008
    Armenia

    Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
    the 44th Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday February
    9 and 10.

    Former German Defense National Security Advisor Horst Teltschik,
    who heads the conference, presided over the two days during which
    several heads of state as well as more than 40 foreign and defense
    ministers, and 500-plus members of the media and international policy
    makers participated in open dialogue about current and future security
    challenges.

    Under the general conference topic of "The World in Disarray -
    Shifting Powers - Lack of Strategies," Turkish Prime Minister Regep
    Tayip Erdogan spoke on Turkey's Foreign Policy and Security Interests.

    Following the Prime Minister's statement, Minister Oskanian took
    the floor, responded to Erdogan's articulation of his vision as
    a democratic and major strategic player in the region and beyond,
    contributing to peace and stability.

    Minister Oskanian began by acknowledging that the Prime Minister
    takes pride in Turkey's democratization and "its geostrategic role
    in our region and beyond, to achieve peace and stability." Minister
    Oskanian continued by saying, "Mr. Prime Minister, you also reiterated
    your firm commitment to becoming a full member of the European Union,
    which we in Armenia support. This is precisely the kind of neighbor
    we would like to have. But as you know, today the border between our
    two countries is closed. By Turkey. We've often raised this issue,
    stating that we would like to have normal ties with Turkey, open
    borders and diplomatic relations. Armenians would like to be the
    beneficiaries of the vision you projected here today.

    But we have heard you, loud and clear, repeating two main reasons,
    or excuses, for keeping that border closed. One of your reasons is
    Armenia's engagement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the second is
    our pursuit of genocide recognition. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict
    is between Armenians and Azeris. Genocide recognition is our moral,
    historic obligation. Our countries are not at war, Mr. Prime Minister,
    and I wonder whether short of being at war, the reasons you always
    offer are sufficient to justify maintaining closed borders between
    our two countries. You can help us, by your positive engagement, to
    resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Having normal relations, open
    borders and diplomatic relations, will allow us together to address
    our differences on the genocide issue. There are important processes
    going on and Turkey can be a natural bridge for the Caucasus, with EU
    and NATO. So I wonder whether you think that with Turkey's positive
    engagement in our region, with equal, neutral relations with all,
    Turkey wouldn't play a more positive role in addressing those very
    issues that you consider to be obstacles for normalization of our
    relations."

    Turkey's Prime Minister did not respond to Minister Oskanian's
    questions about the geopolitical situation and prospects for
    normalization. Instead, he repeated the offer to convene historians,
    spoke about "1915 massacres being not proven historically" and on the
    one hand offered historians, archaeologists and others to study the
    matter, and on the other hand rejected the possibility of genocide
    being part of Turkish culture.

    During the conference, Minister Oskanian held meetings with Lithuania's
    Foreign Minister, and the German Foreign Ministry's Political Director,
    Dr. Volker Stanzel.
    From: Baghdasarian
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