EU interested in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relationsDecember 19, 2007 - 18:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - December 19, RA National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian met with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby, who arrived in Armenia to attend the extended parliamentary, the RA NA press office said. The Speaker described the diplomat's visit as manifestation of EU's attention to regional problems. He gave a high estimation to the role of the European Union in the region and emphasized that Armenia adheres to EU principles and values. For his part, Mr Semneby stressed the importance of discussing the Armenian-Turkish problem in the context of European integration. "Both Yerevan and Ankara should define and accept the principles the Armenian-Turkish relations will base on," he said. "Dialogue is a basis for overcoming difficulties. Armenia's position meets these principles. We concede that there are problems which should be omitted for a while. As for Turkey, it turns Armenia's problems with a third country, Azerbaijan, over to the Armenian-Turkish relations. It can overcome the complex evoked by the Armenian Genocide and keeps the border closed, thus conflicting with European values." "Still in autumn 2003 we proposed the head of the Turkish delegation to PACE to meet and establish a kind of relations but no response has come so far," he noted. Touching upon recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Speaker said that Turkey's proposal to form a joint commission of historians is unacceptable, since Armenia doesn't question the fact of Genocide. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Moody's upgrades IDBank's rating Moody's has upgraded ID Bank CJSC's (IDBank) long-term local and foreign currency bank deposit ratings to Ba3 from B1. U.S. “very clear” with Azerbaijan: “It’s time to make peace with Armenia” James O'Brien has said that the United States is “very clear” with Azerbaijani that it is a time to make peace with Armenia. Destruction of Armenian heritage raised at PACE Member of the Armenian delegation to PACE, MP from the “I Have the Honor” bloc Hayk Mamijanyan delivered remarks at a PACE session. PACE adopts resolution on Armenia's commitment to reforms PACE welcomed the electoral reforms implemented by Armenia in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. |