Turkish politician called to suspend issuing visas for Armenian citizensMay 12, 2007 - 22:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Republic Popular Party member, parliamentarian Shukru Elekdag has condemned Armenia for denying visas to Turkish representatives of the OSCE, who were expected to observe parliamentary elections in the country.MP said Turkey should suspend granting visa to Armenian citizens as a reply. "On one hand Armenia demands to open borders with Turkey, but on the other hand it denies visas to Turkish representatives. Armenia thinks Turkey is afraid of European Union, as well as the U.S. But Ankara is to react to this by all means. Armenian citizens shouldn't receive visas for a month. It should be Turkey's message that it is always ready to reply properly. We have to take appropriate measures if we respect ourselves. Armenia doesn't want Turkey to observe the current situation in the country," he said. "The OSCE should refuse to observe the elections as Turkish parliamentarians fail to get visas", he claimed, APA reports. Armenia has rejected to issue visas for 8 Turkish observers. Vladimir Karapetian, Spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry said that visas cannot be issued due to absence of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey. The OSCE/ODIHR voiced discontent with Armenia's refusal to host Turkish observers. 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 | Joe Manganiello visits Armenian Genocide memorial Hollywood star Joe Manganiello has visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan, according to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Dream big, start small: Anna from Artsakh participates in Get Started She has become even more determined thanks to the Get Started educational program. Armenia Foreign Minister begins Lithuania trip On June 20, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan is paying a working visit to Vilnius. Armenia, U.S. consider direct flights Gnel Sanosyan and Sarah Morgenthau have discussed the possibility of launching direct flights between Armenia and the U.S. |