13.01.2007, 19.47
YEREVAN, January 13 (Itar-Tass) – Opening the Armenian-Turkish border will benefit the economies of both countries, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan said.
The Armenian diplomat spoke at an international conference devoted to the economic and social consequences for opening the Armenian-Turkish border on Saturday. The forum is organised by a public organisation “Armenian Economic Research Group”, which was founded by young economists from Armenia, the United States and other countries.
“The opening of the border will have a positive impact on regional cooperation in the South Caucasus,” the diplomat said.
Due to the closedness of borders, the absence of diplomatic and consular relations contacts between Armenia and Turkey “are being held via air service or the territory of third countries,” he said.
“In fact, Turkey seeks to express solidarity with Azerbaijan and develop regional cooperation in order to strengthen mutual trust,” the diplomat pointed out.
He said Armenia calls for establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey without any preconditions.
“In order to ensure stability and security, and develop broad cooperation in the region it is necessary for Turkey to have unbiased equal relations with all states of the South Caucasus and give up its policy towards forcing Armenia out of regional programmes, including economic ones,” Kirakosyan said.
In his view, in order to establish diplomatic relations and open borders with Armenia Turkey put forth certain conditions. One of the main conditions is to resolve the Karabakh problem. “Thus, Turkey defies the norms of international law and violates the 1921 Treaty of Kars” that was signed by Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Georgian SSR one side, and Turkey and the RSFR on the other side. Under the treaty, the sides obliged to ensure free movement of people and cargoes.
http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11153395&PageNum=0
Yorumlar kapatıldı.