Normalization of ties with Armenia would have positively affected the process of Turkey's accession to EU, the European People's Party (EPP) President stated.

As Wilfried Martens told a news conference in Yerevan, not only economic standards but also free movement of citizens within the EU are important criteria for EU accession.

Mr. Martens further expressed his disappointment over the Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process which came to a standstill through Turkey's fault.