Kaan Soyak: no talk about opening of Armenian-Turkish border yetSeptember 8, 2008 - 20:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Readiness to normalize relations with Armenia can be described as a move toward the EU membership, chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council Kaan Soyak, said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter."One of EU conditions is normal relations with neighbors. Although we don't think that Europe is ready to accept a 70-million Muslim country, we continue reforms," he said, adding that normalization of relations is as well important for Armenia, which participates in the ENP. As to opening of the Armenian Turkish border, Mr Soyak said, "When the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict broke out, some Armenian and Turkish organizations requested Ankara to lift the blockade for a humanitarian corridor. "There is no talk about it yet. But I believe that it will happen sooner than we expect," he concluded. The closed Armenian-Turkish border could be opened for humanitarian aid purpose depending on the gestures from Armenian side and the direction of the relations, Hurriyet daily reported earlier, citing diplomatic sources. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Politico: Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Azerbaijan in 2018-2022 Belarus delivered advanced weapons to Armenia’s enemy even though both countries were supposedly allies in a defense pact. Armenia Security Council chief to attend Ukraine peace summit Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will take part in the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. Armenian govt. approves ratification of EAEU-Iran free trade deal At a meeting on Friday, June 14, the Armenian government approved the ratification of an EAEU free trade agreement with Iran. Deputy U.S. Secretary of State to arrive in Yerevan Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Yerevan, Armenia from June 17-19 to. |