Kaan Soyak: no talk about opening of Armenian-Turkish border yetSeptember 8, 2008 - 20:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Readiness to normalize relations with Armenia can be described as a move toward the EU membership, chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council Kaan Soyak, said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter."One of EU conditions is normal relations with neighbors. Although we don't think that Europe is ready to accept a 70-million Muslim country, we continue reforms," he said, adding that normalization of relations is as well important for Armenia, which participates in the ENP. As to opening of the Armenian Turkish border, Mr Soyak said, "When the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict broke out, some Armenian and Turkish organizations requested Ankara to lift the blockade for a humanitarian corridor. "There is no talk about it yet. But I believe that it will happen sooner than we expect," he concluded. The closed Armenian-Turkish border could be opened for humanitarian aid purpose depending on the gestures from Armenian side and the direction of the relations, Hurriyet daily reported earlier, citing diplomatic sources. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |