Armenian leader backs Turkey`s EU accession
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian has said his
country has never been opposed to Turkey`s admission to the
European Union, and, on the contrary, supports its accession to the
bloc.
"Turkey`s EU admission could turn it into a country that is safer and more compliant with our perceptions," Sarkisian said after hosting Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias on Monday.
Sarkisian noted that Turkey`s admission is pivotal.
"We are expecting neighborhood complying with European standards from a neighboring EU member state," the Armenian leader told a joint news conference. "These relations pertain to both economic and political issues as well as mutual agreements. Otherwise, disrespect for such agreements deepens the lack of confidence and poses obstacles."
Christofias, for his part, opined that Turkey could be admitted to the EU only after it has amply developed and met European criteria.
Turkey and Armenia face decades of hostility due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on the World War I-era genocide in the Ottoman Empire. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties of late. The two governments announced a "roadmap" in April in a move to mend ties.
Touching on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Sarkisian said there were currently no advances in the conflict settlement.
"The conflicting sides are aware that the core issue is the [determination of] Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh`s status, and I am pleased that the number of advocates for this idea is increasing," he alleged.
Sarkisian added that Yerevan backs a peaceful solution of the long-standing dispute pursuant to international law.
"Turkey`s EU admission could turn it into a country that is safer and more compliant with our perceptions," Sarkisian said after hosting Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias on Monday.
Sarkisian noted that Turkey`s admission is pivotal.
"We are expecting neighborhood complying with European standards from a neighboring EU member state," the Armenian leader told a joint news conference. "These relations pertain to both economic and political issues as well as mutual agreements. Otherwise, disrespect for such agreements deepens the lack of confidence and poses obstacles."
Christofias, for his part, opined that Turkey could be admitted to the EU only after it has amply developed and met European criteria.
Turkey and Armenia face decades of hostility due to Armenia`s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on the World War I-era genocide in the Ottoman Empire. However, there have been signs of normalization in Ankara-Yerevan ties of late. The two governments announced a "roadmap" in April in a move to mend ties.
Touching on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Sarkisian said there were currently no advances in the conflict settlement.
"The conflicting sides are aware that the core issue is the [determination of] Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh`s status, and I am pleased that the number of advocates for this idea is increasing," he alleged.
Sarkisian added that Yerevan backs a peaceful solution of the long-standing dispute pursuant to international law.
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