CEMIL CICEK: "THE ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI RELATIONS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED TO ENSURE PEACE IN THE CAUCASUS REGION"
Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
June 2, 2014 Monday
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Cicek discussed
the Armenian issue at the meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey
Francis Ricciardone.
APA reports that outgoing Ambassador Ricciardone asked Cicek why Zurich
protocols on Turkish-Armenian rapprochement hadn't been included in
the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Cicek said the reason for it was the position of Armenia.
"Accusing a country and society of committing genocide is the biggest
insult. It undermines the relations. Prime Minister Erdogan's statement
on the allegations of genocide issued on April 23 should be considered
well. Unfortunately, the U.S. misinterpreted this statement," he said.
The Speaker said that Turkey has taken 3 important steps in this
regard: "Though, the President and Foreign Minister visited Armenia,
the opposite side didn't take any step. The Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations should be normalized to ensure peace in the Caucasus region.
However, Armenia is under the mortgage of the Armenian Diaspora.
Armenia should take a fairer position to contribute to the solution
of the problem."
Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
June 2, 2014 Monday
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Cemil Cicek discussed
the Armenian issue at the meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey
Francis Ricciardone.
APA reports that outgoing Ambassador Ricciardone asked Cicek why Zurich
protocols on Turkish-Armenian rapprochement hadn't been included in
the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
Cicek said the reason for it was the position of Armenia.
"Accusing a country and society of committing genocide is the biggest
insult. It undermines the relations. Prime Minister Erdogan's statement
on the allegations of genocide issued on April 23 should be considered
well. Unfortunately, the U.S. misinterpreted this statement," he said.
The Speaker said that Turkey has taken 3 important steps in this
regard: "Though, the President and Foreign Minister visited Armenia,
the opposite side didn't take any step. The Armenian-Azerbaijani
relations should be normalized to ensure peace in the Caucasus region.
However, Armenia is under the mortgage of the Armenian Diaspora.
Armenia should take a fairer position to contribute to the solution
of the problem."