EU urges unconditional approval of Turkey-Armenia accords
The European Union calls on Turkey and Armenia to
ratify the 2009 accords on normalizing their strained relations
without any pre-conditions, Novosti Armenii news agency has quoted
the EU chair Spain’s Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos as
saying.
He said the bloc supports the fence-mending process and urges Ankara and Yerevan to remain committed to reconciliation efforts.
Moratinos, who has arrived in Yerevan with a broad delegation, welcomed the Armenian leader’s sending the documents to parliament for approval and the Turkish president’s affirming Ankara’s commitment to holding dialog with Armenia.
"The signing of the protocols is a historic turning point in the relations between the two countries. If signed documents are there, the process should be continued and the points indicated in the protocols are to be enforced."
The two neighbors have been at odds and their shared border has been shut since 1993 due to Armenia’s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian claims on mass killings of their ancestors by Ottoman Turks during World War I. On October 10, 2009, in Zurich, the two governments signed agreements to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders, after a century of hostility. Since then, the process has faced roadblocks due to lingering disputes. The accords require approval by parliaments in both countries. Ankara and Yerevan have accused each other of dragging their feet and of trying to re-write the texts of the protocols.
Moratinos went on to say that Spain supports Turkey’s admission to the EU. "If Turkey becomes an EU member, the EU will gain advantages in the region."
Moratinos, who has begun a visit to the South Caucasus region from Armenia, arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday and is expected to head to neighboring Georgia on Wednesday.*
He said the bloc supports the fence-mending process and urges Ankara and Yerevan to remain committed to reconciliation efforts.
Moratinos, who has arrived in Yerevan with a broad delegation, welcomed the Armenian leader’s sending the documents to parliament for approval and the Turkish president’s affirming Ankara’s commitment to holding dialog with Armenia.
"The signing of the protocols is a historic turning point in the relations between the two countries. If signed documents are there, the process should be continued and the points indicated in the protocols are to be enforced."
The two neighbors have been at odds and their shared border has been shut since 1993 due to Armenia’s policy of occupation of Azerbaijani territory and Armenian claims on mass killings of their ancestors by Ottoman Turks during World War I. On October 10, 2009, in Zurich, the two governments signed agreements to establish diplomatic relations and reopen their borders, after a century of hostility. Since then, the process has faced roadblocks due to lingering disputes. The accords require approval by parliaments in both countries. Ankara and Yerevan have accused each other of dragging their feet and of trying to re-write the texts of the protocols.
Moratinos went on to say that Spain supports Turkey’s admission to the EU. "If Turkey becomes an EU member, the EU will gain advantages in the region."
Moratinos, who has begun a visit to the South Caucasus region from Armenia, arrived in Azerbaijan on Tuesday and is expected to head to neighboring Georgia on Wednesday.*
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