Genocide Recognition Should Become Precondition for Turkey's Accession to EUJuly 10, 2006 - 15:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Leading political European Parliament factions stand for the introduction of the Armenian Genocide recognition issue into the agenda of the EU-Turkey talks. The parliamentarians urge Brussels to set acknowledgement the Armenian Genocide by Turkey and lifting of the blockade of Armenia as a precondition for Turkey's EU membership.Finland, which accepted the EU presidency for the next 6 months, threatened to break off the talks with Turkey. "The dialogue with Turkey can be stopped any moment if Ankara fails to meet commitments to the European Union," Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said. Turkey doesn't recognize the sovereignty of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004 and doesn't receive planes and ships from this state. July 12 the European Parliament committee on foreign affairs will consider Turkey's progress. Besides, the Turkey is urged settle the Kurdish issue and secure the rights of national minorities. In October 2005 the EU Foreign Minister gave ok to Turkey's EU membership talks. However they specified that the process will not be automatic and can be stopped any time. The European Parliament urges Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide, reported RIA Novosti. 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 | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |