EU interested in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relationsDecember 19, 2007 - 18:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - December 19, RA National Assembly Speaker Tigran Torosian met with EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby, who arrived in Armenia to attend the extended parliamentary, the RA NA press office said. The Speaker described the diplomat's visit as manifestation of EU's attention to regional problems. He gave a high estimation to the role of the European Union in the region and emphasized that Armenia adheres to EU principles and values. For his part, Mr Semneby stressed the importance of discussing the Armenian-Turkish problem in the context of European integration. "Both Yerevan and Ankara should define and accept the principles the Armenian-Turkish relations will base on," he said. "Dialogue is a basis for overcoming difficulties. Armenia's position meets these principles. We concede that there are problems which should be omitted for a while. As for Turkey, it turns Armenia's problems with a third country, Azerbaijan, over to the Armenian-Turkish relations. It can overcome the complex evoked by the Armenian Genocide and keeps the border closed, thus conflicting with European values." "Still in autumn 2003 we proposed the head of the Turkish delegation to PACE to meet and establish a kind of relations but no response has come so far," he noted. Touching upon recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Speaker said that Turkey's proposal to form a joint commission of historians is unacceptable, since Armenia doesn't question the fact of Genocide. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |