Pope Francis urges opening of Armenian-Turkish border

December 1, 2014 - 13:15 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Pope Francis commented on Yerevan-Ankara relations and opening of border with Armenia on board a flight back to Rome as he was returning from a three-day visit to Turkey, Ermenihaber said.

Dwelling on the statement of then Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offering condolences to the grandchildren of the Armenian Genocide survivors, the Pope noted, “some considered the PM’s remarks a minor move, but I believe it to be a positive one, aimed to make a step towards reconciliation.”

Erdoğan offered what the government said were "unprecedented condolences" on April 23, 2014 to the grandchildren of the Armenian Genocide survivors.

"The incidents of the First World War are our shared pain. To evaluate this painful period of history through a perspective of just memory is a humane and scholarly responsibility.

Millions of people of all religions and ethnicities lost their lives in the First World War. Having experienced events which had inhumane consequences - such as relocation - during the First World War, should not prevent Turks and Armenians from establishing compassion and mutually humane attitudes among towards one another.

In today’s world, deriving enmity from history and creating new antagonisms are neither acceptable nor useful for building a common future.

With this understanding, we, as the Turkish Republic, have called for the establishment of a joint historical commission in order to study the events of 1915 in a scholarly manner. This call remains valid. Scholarly research to be carried out by Turkish, Armenian and international historians would play a significant role in shedding light on the events of 1915 and an accurate understanding of history," Erdogan's statement said.

Pope Francis also urged the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border: “I realize, some political issued in the region complicate the opening, but let’s work together to promote peace. I truly wish for the next year to bring the two countries at least a little closer together.”

In 1993, Turkey reacted to the war in Nagarno Karabakh by closing its border with Armenia, with the latter being the only closed border in Europe at present.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.