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TURKEY FAILED TO FOLLOW ITS COMMITMENTS, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS
NEWS.am
June 23, 2010 | 10:09
In taking the initiative to normalize relations with Turkey, Armenia
was concerned over the region's future, seeking to remove the dividing
lines and establish an atmosphere of confidence, develop economic
cooperation as a guarantee of favorable conditions for solving further
political problems, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated in his speech
at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
"Why did our initiative fail? Turkey not only failed to follow
its commitments and ratify the Protocols, but also returned to its
earlier stance, namely, preconditions and even threats. To date,
the Armenian-Turkish border remains Europe's only closed border,"
Sargsyan said.
According to the Armenian leader, a number of factors account for
the failure of the Armenian-Turkish process. Among them is political
leaders' bankruptcy or unwillingness. "Some analysts may also point
out the pressure on the part of Azerbaijan," Sargsyan said. "Some
western analysts tried to persuade me that it was a temporary thing
for domestic election processes. Time will show. A more thorough
analysis suggests the following conclusion: resolving problems at
others' expense is still practice in our region. 'I am strong, so
I will dictate solutions.' The zero-problems-with-neighbors policy
does not produce any results. It will last as long as Turkey keeps on
seeking its own interests in our region in the context of the clash
of interests," Sargsyan said.
The Armenian leader expressed conviction that it is time for the
regional leaders to be superior to narrow political agendas and
disagreements. He hopes that the modern-day leaders will display the
necessary qualities.
From: A. Papazian
NEWS.am
June 23, 2010 | 10:09
In taking the initiative to normalize relations with Turkey, Armenia
was concerned over the region's future, seeking to remove the dividing
lines and establish an atmosphere of confidence, develop economic
cooperation as a guarantee of favorable conditions for solving further
political problems, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated in his speech
at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
"Why did our initiative fail? Turkey not only failed to follow
its commitments and ratify the Protocols, but also returned to its
earlier stance, namely, preconditions and even threats. To date,
the Armenian-Turkish border remains Europe's only closed border,"
Sargsyan said.
According to the Armenian leader, a number of factors account for
the failure of the Armenian-Turkish process. Among them is political
leaders' bankruptcy or unwillingness. "Some analysts may also point
out the pressure on the part of Azerbaijan," Sargsyan said. "Some
western analysts tried to persuade me that it was a temporary thing
for domestic election processes. Time will show. A more thorough
analysis suggests the following conclusion: resolving problems at
others' expense is still practice in our region. 'I am strong, so
I will dictate solutions.' The zero-problems-with-neighbors policy
does not produce any results. It will last as long as Turkey keeps on
seeking its own interests in our region in the context of the clash
of interests," Sargsyan said.
The Armenian leader expressed conviction that it is time for the
regional leaders to be superior to narrow political agendas and
disagreements. He hopes that the modern-day leaders will display the
necessary qualities.
From: A. Papazian