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NO DEMAND FOR UNILATERAL CONCESSIONS, U.S. AMBASSADOR STATES
news.am
May 5 2010
Armenia
An her interview with RFE/RL, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch sounded an optimistic note about the future of
Turkish-Armenian relations, pointing to contacts between Turkish
and Armenian civil societies and ordinary people that have increased
dramatically in recent years.
According to her, the people in Turkey and Armenia understand that
this is a historical anomaly that in the 21st century there is a
closed border in Europe.
She pointed out that she has seen many Turks wishing to open up
businesses in Armenia.
As regards the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Yovanovitch praised the
hundreds of Turks who took to the streets of Istanbul on April 24 for
the first-ever public remembrance of the up to 1.5 million Armenians
massacred in the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
"It's an extremely important development that needs to continue to be
encouraged because sometimes it is the government that leads people
and sometimes it's people that lead the government," she said.
Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh problems, the diplomat stressed
its resolution will peace and stability to the region. As regards
international pressure, Ambassador Yovanovitch does not think any
state demands unilateral concessions from the sides at the expense of
their national security. According to her, whatever agreements the
side may reach within the OSCE Minsk Group or in any other format,
they must take their national interests into account. On the other
hand, she stressed the need for mutual concessions.
Ambassador Yovanovitch stressed the U.S. continues focusing its
attention on democratic reforms in Armenia. The issues were discussed
at the Sargsyan-Obama meeting in Washington. The diplomat also pointed
out the U.S. expressed concern over the problems in this field in
Armenia in the U.S. Department of State's report. Referring to the
recent amnesty, she said that the Armenian authorities made some
progress, but the fact that some oppositionists remain in jail was
"an issue of concern to us."
news.am
May 5 2010
Armenia
An her interview with RFE/RL, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch sounded an optimistic note about the future of
Turkish-Armenian relations, pointing to contacts between Turkish
and Armenian civil societies and ordinary people that have increased
dramatically in recent years.
According to her, the people in Turkey and Armenia understand that
this is a historical anomaly that in the 21st century there is a
closed border in Europe.
She pointed out that she has seen many Turks wishing to open up
businesses in Armenia.
As regards the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador Yovanovitch praised the
hundreds of Turks who took to the streets of Istanbul on April 24 for
the first-ever public remembrance of the up to 1.5 million Armenians
massacred in the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
"It's an extremely important development that needs to continue to be
encouraged because sometimes it is the government that leads people
and sometimes it's people that lead the government," she said.
Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh problems, the diplomat stressed
its resolution will peace and stability to the region. As regards
international pressure, Ambassador Yovanovitch does not think any
state demands unilateral concessions from the sides at the expense of
their national security. According to her, whatever agreements the
side may reach within the OSCE Minsk Group or in any other format,
they must take their national interests into account. On the other
hand, she stressed the need for mutual concessions.
Ambassador Yovanovitch stressed the U.S. continues focusing its
attention on democratic reforms in Armenia. The issues were discussed
at the Sargsyan-Obama meeting in Washington. The diplomat also pointed
out the U.S. expressed concern over the problems in this field in
Armenia in the U.S. Department of State's report. Referring to the
recent amnesty, she said that the Armenian authorities made some
progress, but the fact that some oppositionists remain in jail was
"an issue of concern to us."