Armenian foreign minister says they will never tell the Armenian diaspora to stop their efforts to make the genocide claims internationally recognized, however, he reiterates his country
Armenian government will never tell its diaspora to making genocide claims internationally recognized, despite the reconciliation process that has started between Yerevan and Ankara. Armenia claims World War I mass killings of Armenians at the hands of Ottomans amount to genocide, an assertion categorically denied by modern Turkey.
"We never say, we will never say to our diaspora to stop the recognition efforts of genocide," said Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian at a press conference yesterday at the headquarters of Black Sea Economic Cooperation, or BSEC, in Istanbul. Nalbandian came to Istanbul to visit the BSEC headquarters as Armenia assumed the rotating presidency last month. After the press conference he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan. This was the third meeting after Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Armenian President Robert Kocharian have instructed their respective ministers to start dialogue for the normalization of relations.
"It was a wise decision for President Gul to come to the football match in Yerevan," said Nalbandian, referring to the visit of Gul to Yerevan to watch the match between the two national teams in September.
"There is a good atmosphere, an active dialogue for normal relations," said Armenian foreign minister prior to the meeting with his Turkish counterpart. Nalbandian said Armenia has a positive approach to the process and is expecting the same approach from the Turkish side. Nalbandian reiterated the opening of borders between the two countries and establishment of diplomatic relations without any preconditions as the way to proceed on normalizing relations. "This is not a favor that we are asking, it is in the interest of both sides," said Nalbandian.
Optimism from Armenia
Although Turkey recognized the independence of Armenia, it has not established diplomatic relations due to claims of genocide and refused to open borders because of the Nagorno-Karabagh problem, a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey. Turkey wants the establishment of a commission of experts to investigate the events of 1915 and seeks a breakthrough on the Nagorno-Karabagh issue before taking the decision to open borders or establishing diplomatic relations. Although both sides seem to disagree on how to proceed toward normal relations, the Armenian foreign minister displayed optimism.
The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan recently met at a summit hosted by Russia, a meeting Nalbandian said was very constructive. He praised the role of Russia as very constructive as well and said there could be a new meeting between the officials of the two countries in December. Meanwhile Nalbandian said the improvement of efficiency, effectiveness and visibility of BSEC would be the major task of the Armenian chairmanship.
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