Vartan Oskanian: we will urge Turkey to open last closed border in EuropeApril 30, 2007 - 14:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is aspired to further integration into the European structures, RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said during the "Baltic to the Wider Black Sea: The New Euroatlantic Challenge?" hearing held within the framework of Brussels Forum 2007. The RA FM presented Armenia's relations with European and Euroatlantic structures as well as their role in the region. "Armenia targets at further integration into the European structures and takes into account the interests of other forces engaged in the region. A two-digit index of economic growth has been fixed in Armenia for seven years already. After the armistice sealed in 1994, Azerbaijan and its ally, Turkey, were expected Armenia to decline under the burden of poverty and economic standstill. However, contrary to their expectations, it did not happen and will never happen and I regret that these states fail to derive lessons from the situation and proceed with efforts to blockade Armenia. The result is the recent $700 million bargain for Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad bypassing Armenia. A new railroad will not force us to retreat. It will not do more harm than a closed border. However, political atmosphere will suffer and this gives a reason for regret," the Minister said."We do stand for operation of the existing Kars-Gyumri railroad. We will urge Turkey to open the last closed border in Europe and establish normal relations with Armenia," Vartan Oskanian said. As the GUAM's initiative on 'frozen conflicts' submitted to consideration of the UN General Assembly, the RA FM reaffirmed Armenia's stance: "Four different conflicts cannot be settled on the basis of one resolution," the RA MFA press office reports. 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 | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |