Closed Turkish-Armenian border anomaly
Normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is vital for the entire region. Closed border is an anomaly, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said during The Armenian-Turkish Relations: Problems and Prospects extended parliamentary hearings. Armenia and Turkey should come to agreement in the name of future, according to him.
"The EU is ready to contribute to the process but we think the sides should meet half-way. Common history should be forgotten. Of course, it's a long process that should be carried out step by step. Armenia and Turkey practice different views on the events of 1915. But Armenia stands for normalization of relations without preconditions while Turkey holds an opposite view. That is why both should search for compromise," Mr Semneby said.
He welcomed RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's statement regarding Turkey's accession to the EU. "Such statements create a good basis for Turkish forces interested in normalization of relations. Formation of a joint commission of historians for investigation the fact of genocide is an interesting proposal. However, validity of article 301 hampers any dialogue," he said adding that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan promised to review the article.
"The EU is ready to contribute to the process but we think the sides should meet half-way. Common history should be forgotten. Of course, it's a long process that should be carried out step by step. Armenia and Turkey practice different views on the events of 1915. But Armenia stands for normalization of relations without preconditions while Turkey holds an opposite view. That is why both should search for compromise," Mr Semneby said.
He welcomed RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's statement regarding Turkey's accession to the EU. "Such statements create a good basis for Turkish forces interested in normalization of relations. Formation of a joint commission of historians for investigation the fact of genocide is an interesting proposal. However, validity of article 301 hampers any dialogue," he said adding that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan promised to review the article.
