Tweet
ILLEGAL BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA SHOULD BE STOPPED
yerkir.am
22.06.2011
The collapse of the Berlin Wall heralded the elimination of dividing
lines in Europe. Unfortunately, twenty years later, our region is
still waiting for its dividing lines to be eliminated. Said president
of Armenia Serzj Sargsyan on his speech at PACE.
Two years ago, we initiated a process of normalization between Armenia
and Turkey, which would have allowed, through the establishment of
diplomatic relations and opening of the border, to gradually overcome
the divide that had existed for almost a century. I would like to note
that, throughout the process, we greatly appreciated the inspiration
and permanent support of not only the mediator states, but also
the international community more broadly, including various senior
officials of the Council of Europe. Unfortunately, in spite of this
support, Armenia-Turkey normalization process ended up in a deadlock.
The sole reason was that Turkey reverted to its practice of setting
preconditions, and failing to honor its commitments, which rendered
the ratification of the signed protocols impossible. Having faced the
wall of disappointment and mistrust, I cannot predict when the window
of opportunity will reopen. I regret to say so, but it is the reality.
It is important to emphasize that Armenia initiated the process
with good intentions, true to the 21st-century imperative of peaceful
coexistence of nations and peoples, all on the backdrop of Turkey still
not only failing to recognize, but also engaging in a policy of blunt
denial of the Genocide of Armenians committed in the Ottoman Empire
in 1915. Meanwhile, Armenians worldwide are expecting an adequate
response. Our tireless efforts, and hopefully also the efforts of
those concerned about crimes against humanity, will henceforth remain
focused on the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
However, we are determined not to leave this problem unsolved for
generations to come. The normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey is important not only for Armenians and Turks, but also
for the whole region, I believe even for the whole of Europe in terms
of creating an atmosphere of peace, stability, and cooperation. The
unlawful blockade of Armenia must come to an end.
yerkir.am
22.06.2011
The collapse of the Berlin Wall heralded the elimination of dividing
lines in Europe. Unfortunately, twenty years later, our region is
still waiting for its dividing lines to be eliminated. Said president
of Armenia Serzj Sargsyan on his speech at PACE.
Two years ago, we initiated a process of normalization between Armenia
and Turkey, which would have allowed, through the establishment of
diplomatic relations and opening of the border, to gradually overcome
the divide that had existed for almost a century. I would like to note
that, throughout the process, we greatly appreciated the inspiration
and permanent support of not only the mediator states, but also
the international community more broadly, including various senior
officials of the Council of Europe. Unfortunately, in spite of this
support, Armenia-Turkey normalization process ended up in a deadlock.
The sole reason was that Turkey reverted to its practice of setting
preconditions, and failing to honor its commitments, which rendered
the ratification of the signed protocols impossible. Having faced the
wall of disappointment and mistrust, I cannot predict when the window
of opportunity will reopen. I regret to say so, but it is the reality.
It is important to emphasize that Armenia initiated the process
with good intentions, true to the 21st-century imperative of peaceful
coexistence of nations and peoples, all on the backdrop of Turkey still
not only failing to recognize, but also engaging in a policy of blunt
denial of the Genocide of Armenians committed in the Ottoman Empire
in 1915. Meanwhile, Armenians worldwide are expecting an adequate
response. Our tireless efforts, and hopefully also the efforts of
those concerned about crimes against humanity, will henceforth remain
focused on the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
However, we are determined not to leave this problem unsolved for
generations to come. The normalization of relations between Armenia
and Turkey is important not only for Armenians and Turks, but also
for the whole region, I believe even for the whole of Europe in terms
of creating an atmosphere of peace, stability, and cooperation. The
unlawful blockade of Armenia must come to an end.