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European Jewish Press
July 4 2012
EU seeks to `bring Armenia closer', as accession talks continue with
historic rival Turkey
by: Shari Ryness
YEREVAN (EJP) ---The European Union reached out to Armenia as `a key
partner in promoting international peace and security' on Wednesday,
in a visit to the National Assembly of Armenia by European Council
President Herman Van Rompuy.
The move is likely to be seen as incendiary by arch rivals Turkey.
Turkey has recently sought to reinvigorate accession negotiations to
the EU, which had lain dormant since their initial launch in 2005,
largely due to the opposition of several EU member states, as well as
its ongoing dispute with current EU Presidency-holders Cyprus.
In a speech to a specially-convened session of the Armenian
parliament, Van Rompuy spoke of the EU's `ambitions' for a
relationship with Armenia, describing the Eurasian republic as `a
partner who wants to embrace (European) values'.
`Armenia is intent on deepening its relations with the European Union,
and this is something we welcome. Your desire to bring your own
standards and norm closer to those of the European Union represents a
strategic choice for your country, which will lie at the heart of our
new Agreement,' he continued.
Van Rompuy announced negotiations on an association agreement between
the EU and Armenia.
Hailing May's general elections as `demonstrated progress towards a
more transparent and competitive electoral system', he encouraged the
former republic of the Soviet Union `to continue on this path, by
strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency, human
rights and the rule of law'.
The timing of the visit is likely to rankle with the neighbouring
Turkey, which has recently stepped up its efforts to approach becoming
a member of the EU by restoring diplomatic ties with France, a key
opponent to its European accession under the leadership of former
President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Turkey became embroiled in a diplomatic stand-off with the French
government last year, after Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party backed a
bill in France's lower house of parliament to make it a legal
requirement to refer to the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks as a `genocide'.
Despite the fact that the law was overturned by France's highest court
a mere two months later, Turkey still suspended all economic,
political and military links with Paris until restoring ties with new
French Socialist President Francois Hollande last month.
Turkey's critics responded by claiming it a cynical move by Turkish
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to receive France's influential backing
of its negotiations for membership of the EU.
Following the Socialist victory in France in May, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu issued a statement saying Turkey looked to
Hollande's succession to power as an opportunity for `a new course in
the Turkish-EU relations'.
His comments were followed up by an announcement that talks between
Turkey and the EU would be reopened with the EU Commissioner for
Enlargement Stefan Fule scheduling a visit to Ankara to discuss policy
as a precursor to advancing its membership of the 27-member bloc.
Wednesday's courting of Armenia is unlikely to derail its accession
efforts, as Turkey remains convinced that membership of the EU would
be mutually beneficial.
Turkish Minister in charge of EU affairs Egemen Bagis insisted in May:
`Turkey is changing, the EU is changing and the new Europe cannot be
without Turkey,' he declared. `Until now, all countries that have
started negotiations with the EU have become full members. Turkey will
not be the first exception.'
Armenia, backed by many historians and parliaments, says about 1.5
million Christian Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey
during World War One in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by the
Ottoman government.
Turkey says there was a heavy loss of life on both sides during the
fighting in which Armenian partisans supported invading Russian
forces.
The Ottoman Empire collapsed after the end of the war, but successive
Turkish governments and the vast majority of Turks feel the charge of
genocide is a direct insult to their nation.
http://www.ejpress.org/article/news/eastern_europe/59853
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
July 4 2012
EU seeks to `bring Armenia closer', as accession talks continue with
historic rival Turkey
by: Shari Ryness
YEREVAN (EJP) ---The European Union reached out to Armenia as `a key
partner in promoting international peace and security' on Wednesday,
in a visit to the National Assembly of Armenia by European Council
President Herman Van Rompuy.
The move is likely to be seen as incendiary by arch rivals Turkey.
Turkey has recently sought to reinvigorate accession negotiations to
the EU, which had lain dormant since their initial launch in 2005,
largely due to the opposition of several EU member states, as well as
its ongoing dispute with current EU Presidency-holders Cyprus.
In a speech to a specially-convened session of the Armenian
parliament, Van Rompuy spoke of the EU's `ambitions' for a
relationship with Armenia, describing the Eurasian republic as `a
partner who wants to embrace (European) values'.
`Armenia is intent on deepening its relations with the European Union,
and this is something we welcome. Your desire to bring your own
standards and norm closer to those of the European Union represents a
strategic choice for your country, which will lie at the heart of our
new Agreement,' he continued.
Van Rompuy announced negotiations on an association agreement between
the EU and Armenia.
Hailing May's general elections as `demonstrated progress towards a
more transparent and competitive electoral system', he encouraged the
former republic of the Soviet Union `to continue on this path, by
strengthening democratic institutions, promoting transparency, human
rights and the rule of law'.
The timing of the visit is likely to rankle with the neighbouring
Turkey, which has recently stepped up its efforts to approach becoming
a member of the EU by restoring diplomatic ties with France, a key
opponent to its European accession under the leadership of former
President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Turkey became embroiled in a diplomatic stand-off with the French
government last year, after Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party backed a
bill in France's lower house of parliament to make it a legal
requirement to refer to the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman
Turks as a `genocide'.
Despite the fact that the law was overturned by France's highest court
a mere two months later, Turkey still suspended all economic,
political and military links with Paris until restoring ties with new
French Socialist President Francois Hollande last month.
Turkey's critics responded by claiming it a cynical move by Turkish
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to receive France's influential backing
of its negotiations for membership of the EU.
Following the Socialist victory in France in May, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu issued a statement saying Turkey looked to
Hollande's succession to power as an opportunity for `a new course in
the Turkish-EU relations'.
His comments were followed up by an announcement that talks between
Turkey and the EU would be reopened with the EU Commissioner for
Enlargement Stefan Fule scheduling a visit to Ankara to discuss policy
as a precursor to advancing its membership of the 27-member bloc.
Wednesday's courting of Armenia is unlikely to derail its accession
efforts, as Turkey remains convinced that membership of the EU would
be mutually beneficial.
Turkish Minister in charge of EU affairs Egemen Bagis insisted in May:
`Turkey is changing, the EU is changing and the new Europe cannot be
without Turkey,' he declared. `Until now, all countries that have
started negotiations with the EU have become full members. Turkey will
not be the first exception.'
Armenia, backed by many historians and parliaments, says about 1.5
million Christian Armenians were killed in what is now eastern Turkey
during World War One in a deliberate policy of genocide ordered by the
Ottoman government.
Turkey says there was a heavy loss of life on both sides during the
fighting in which Armenian partisans supported invading Russian
forces.
The Ottoman Empire collapsed after the end of the war, but successive
Turkish governments and the vast majority of Turks feel the charge of
genocide is a direct insult to their nation.
http://www.ejpress.org/article/news/eastern_europe/59853
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress