Oskanian: Turkey's preconditions mean nothing from standpoint of international law

PanARMENIAN.Net - "The Armenian-Turkish relations represent a very complicated issue burdened by the past. But however difficult they are, a solution is needed. And the only way to resolve problems is to normalize relations," Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said during The Armenian-Turkish Relations: Problems and Prospects extended parliamentary hearings.



"Turkey wants fulfillment of its preconditions first and only then establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border. But it's not right. The international community rates opening of the border as the primary condition. Show me a European state which kept borders closed because of problems with neighbors," the Minister said.



He reminded of Turkey's three preconditions: 1. resolution of the Karabakh problem in favor of Azerbaijan; 2. recognition of present day Turkey's borders; 3. renunciation of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.



"Neither of the preconditions is admissible for Armenia. The Armenian-Turkish relations can be divided in three stages: from 1991 to 1993, when Turkey recognized Armenia's independence without establishing diplomatic relations; from 1993 to 1998, when Turkey used the Karabakh factor (recognition of the Genocide was not on the RA agenda at that time) and from 1988 up to the present day… Nevertheless, from these preconditions mean nothing the standpoint of international law," he said.