Armenian Genocide resolution: Turkey doesn't threaten but warns
Estranged neighbors Turkey and Armenia are getting closer to normalize their ties, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said.
Meanwhile, he warned adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution by U.S. Congress will "harm the process."
"We are not using a threatening rhetoric. We are not saying 'if you pass this resolution, we will do this and that.' Honestly, we are telling them [the Americans] about the current situation in the South Caucasus," Babacan said en route to Egypt.
"A resolution between Turkey and Armenia has never been that close. Where we stand now is the closest point ever to a settlement with Armenia since 1915. I'm not saying we've reached a solution, but we are getting close to it." Asked what he meant by a "solution," he explained: "Full normalization."
"The U.S. should not interfere with the process that is underway in Armenia," said Babacan, reiterating that Turkey's strategic ties with the United States will be harmed if Washington recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
"We have a historic opportunity now. The current work being done in the South Caucasus is not something that you can find every day," he said, Today's Zaman reports.
Meanwhile, he warned adoption of Armenian Genocide resolution by U.S. Congress will "harm the process."
"We are not using a threatening rhetoric. We are not saying 'if you pass this resolution, we will do this and that.' Honestly, we are telling them [the Americans] about the current situation in the South Caucasus," Babacan said en route to Egypt.
"A resolution between Turkey and Armenia has never been that close. Where we stand now is the closest point ever to a settlement with Armenia since 1915. I'm not saying we've reached a solution, but we are getting close to it." Asked what he meant by a "solution," he explained: "Full normalization."
"The U.S. should not interfere with the process that is underway in Armenia," said Babacan, reiterating that Turkey's strategic ties with the United States will be harmed if Washington recognizes the Armenian Genocide.
"We have a historic opportunity now. The current work being done in the South Caucasus is not something that you can find every day," he said, Today's Zaman reports.
