Volkan Vural: Ankara should establish diplomatic relations with Yerevan without wasting time
The recent visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia can serve as a basis for further development of relations between the two states, said Volkan Vural, the Turkish Ambassador to Armenia in 1991-93.
"Diplomatic relations between the two countries must be established, without wasting any time," he said, adding that the opening of the border with Armenia would not only benefit Armenia, but also Turkey.
The former ambassador said that Turkey lost a golden opportunity to establish relations with Armenia when the Soviet Union collapsed. "If Turkey had established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1991, perhaps it would have averted the Karabakh conflict," he said.
Vulral added that the establishment of diplomatic relations would also benefit Azerbaijan.
"As to territorial claims, Turkey has an army equal in amount to the entire population of Armenia. So, we must feel safe," he said, Taraf Turkish newspaper reports.
Volkan Vural was the only Turkey's ambassador to Armenia with residence in Moscow while Yerevan wasn't represented in Ankara even at the level of Charge d'Affaires. Presently, Karen Mirzoyan, Armenia's representative to the BSEC (residence in Istanbul), is the only Armenian diplomat in Turkey.
"Diplomatic relations between the two countries must be established, without wasting any time," he said, adding that the opening of the border with Armenia would not only benefit Armenia, but also Turkey.
The former ambassador said that Turkey lost a golden opportunity to establish relations with Armenia when the Soviet Union collapsed. "If Turkey had established diplomatic relations with Armenia in 1991, perhaps it would have averted the Karabakh conflict," he said.
Vulral added that the establishment of diplomatic relations would also benefit Azerbaijan.
"As to territorial claims, Turkey has an army equal in amount to the entire population of Armenia. So, we must feel safe," he said, Taraf Turkish newspaper reports.
Volkan Vural was the only Turkey's ambassador to Armenia with residence in Moscow while Yerevan wasn't represented in Ankara even at the level of Charge d'Affaires. Presently, Karen Mirzoyan, Armenia's representative to the BSEC (residence in Istanbul), is the only Armenian diplomat in Turkey.
