Sarkisian warns of canceling Turkey visit
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has indicated
that he could postpone his October visit to Turkey, where he is
scheduled to attend a soccer match of the two countries` national
teams, if the two countries` shared border does not open by
then.
"If, by that time, the border does open or is very close to opening, I will gladly accept President Gul`s invitation," Sarkisian told the English-language Russia Today TV channel.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to its occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Armenian claims regarding the alleged World War I-era genocide. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties in recent years. The two countries` leaders attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match together in Yerevan in September 2008 when Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish president to visit Armenia. Further, Gul invited his Armenian counterpart to Turkey for a return game.
The Armenian leader noted that Yerevan and Ankara face differences over the alleged genocide issue, but claimed that Turkey`s rejecting the allegations on mass killings in the Ottoman Empire are not a hurdle to establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries. "We support forging ties with Turkey without pre-conditions."
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sarkisian said he "had no intentions to travel to Turkey merely as a tourist or a football fan."
Commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s recent statement that the border opening was out of the question until the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has been resolved, Sarkisian claimed that the statement "is not in line with our agreement." He added that Yerevan`s stance on the Garabagh conflict will not change after the Turkey-Armenia border opens.
Recent media reports claiming Turkey plans to soon open its border with Armenia have sparked an outcry in Azerbaijan. However, the Turkish premier followed up by saying that Ankara would not take this step defying Azerbaijan`s interests, somewhat allaying Baku`s concerns.
Further, the Armenian president said that during talks he held during a recent visit to Moscow, he witnessed Russia`s backing of the border opening.
Sarkisian emphasized that the US government was making significant efforts in this area. He also claimed that Washington "would recognize the Armenian genocide at the time it deems appropriate."
"If, by that time, the border does open or is very close to opening, I will gladly accept President Gul`s invitation," Sarkisian told the English-language Russia Today TV channel.
Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to its occupation of Azerbaijani territories and Armenian claims regarding the alleged World War I-era genocide. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties in recent years. The two countries` leaders attended a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match together in Yerevan in September 2008 when Abdullah Gul became the first Turkish president to visit Armenia. Further, Gul invited his Armenian counterpart to Turkey for a return game.
The Armenian leader noted that Yerevan and Ankara face differences over the alleged genocide issue, but claimed that Turkey`s rejecting the allegations on mass killings in the Ottoman Empire are not a hurdle to establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries. "We support forging ties with Turkey without pre-conditions."
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sarkisian said he "had no intentions to travel to Turkey merely as a tourist or a football fan."
Commenting on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s recent statement that the border opening was out of the question until the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict has been resolved, Sarkisian claimed that the statement "is not in line with our agreement." He added that Yerevan`s stance on the Garabagh conflict will not change after the Turkey-Armenia border opens.
Recent media reports claiming Turkey plans to soon open its border with Armenia have sparked an outcry in Azerbaijan. However, the Turkish premier followed up by saying that Ankara would not take this step defying Azerbaijan`s interests, somewhat allaying Baku`s concerns.
Further, the Armenian president said that during talks he held during a recent visit to Moscow, he witnessed Russia`s backing of the border opening.
Sarkisian emphasized that the US government was making significant efforts in this area. He also claimed that Washington "would recognize the Armenian genocide at the time it deems appropriate."
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