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GERMANY HOPES FOR ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION: FOREIGN MINISTER
20:28, 23 Oct 2014
Anna Nazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia
"We respect Armenia's decision to join the Eurasian Economic Union
and hope that it will not hinder the development of relations with the
EU," German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said at a joint
press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
Touching upon the forthcoming Sargyan-Aliyev meeting scheduled for
October 27 the German FM voiced hope it would mark progress in the
process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
Edward Nalbndian said, in turn, Armenia is doing its best to achieve
a peaceful resolution of the issue, and I ready to move forward on
the basis of the statements adopted by the leaders of the co-chairing
countries. He added, however, that Azerbaijan has not demonstrated
such willingness so far.
As for the Armenian Turkish relations, Minister Steinmeier said
Germany hopes for certain signs of reconciliation.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany's long road to partnership with
France after two world wars could serve as an example following the
1915 slaughter and exile of Armenians during World War I.
"When it comes to the bloody history of the 20th century, in which
Germany started two world wars, we should not present ourselves as
the schoolmasters," he told reporters after talks with his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan. "But we can offer our
experience."
He noted that he had also told Turkish leaders earlier this year
that Germany and France had worked hard to overcome the hatred of
previous generations.
"After a difficult century, we have reconciled by not keeping silent
about our historical responsibility" but by "working through the
horrific things that happened," he said.
"If our experience can be helpful, we are ready to offer it," he said,
citing youth exchange programs as one initiative that had helped to
build bridges. "But that must be decided here."
Nalbandian said Armenia was ready to reduce tensions with Turkey but
insisted the ball was in Ankara's court.
"Five years ago, on Armenia's initiative, we started a process that led
to the signature of the Zurich protocols -- to make the normalization
of our relations possible," he said. "But Turkey is not respecting
these agreements."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/10/23/germany-hopes-for-armenian-turkish-reconciliation-foreign-minister/
20:28, 23 Oct 2014
Anna Nazaryan
Public Radio of Armenia
"We respect Armenia's decision to join the Eurasian Economic Union
and hope that it will not hinder the development of relations with the
EU," German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said at a joint
press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.
Touching upon the forthcoming Sargyan-Aliyev meeting scheduled for
October 27 the German FM voiced hope it would mark progress in the
process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
Edward Nalbndian said, in turn, Armenia is doing its best to achieve
a peaceful resolution of the issue, and I ready to move forward on
the basis of the statements adopted by the leaders of the co-chairing
countries. He added, however, that Azerbaijan has not demonstrated
such willingness so far.
As for the Armenian Turkish relations, Minister Steinmeier said
Germany hopes for certain signs of reconciliation.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany's long road to partnership with
France after two world wars could serve as an example following the
1915 slaughter and exile of Armenians during World War I.
"When it comes to the bloody history of the 20th century, in which
Germany started two world wars, we should not present ourselves as
the schoolmasters," he told reporters after talks with his Armenian
counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan. "But we can offer our
experience."
He noted that he had also told Turkish leaders earlier this year
that Germany and France had worked hard to overcome the hatred of
previous generations.
"After a difficult century, we have reconciled by not keeping silent
about our historical responsibility" but by "working through the
horrific things that happened," he said.
"If our experience can be helpful, we are ready to offer it," he said,
citing youth exchange programs as one initiative that had helped to
build bridges. "But that must be decided here."
Nalbandian said Armenia was ready to reduce tensions with Turkey but
insisted the ball was in Ankara's court.
"Five years ago, on Armenia's initiative, we started a process that led
to the signature of the Zurich protocols -- to make the normalization
of our relations possible," he said. "But Turkey is not respecting
these agreements."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/10/23/germany-hopes-for-armenian-turkish-reconciliation-foreign-minister/