Oskanian: Karabakh and Genocide holds Turkey back from opening border

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in the 44th Munich Security Conference on Saturday and Sunday February 9 and 10.



Former German Defense National Security Advisor Horst Teltschik, who heads the conference, presided over the two days during which several heads of state as well as more than 40 foreign and defense ministers, and 500-plus members of the media and international policy makers participated in open dialogue about current and future security challenges.



Under the general conference topic of "The World in Disarray - Shifting Powers - Lack of Strategies," Turkish Prime Minister Regep Tayip Erdogan spoke on Turkey's Foreign Policy and Security Interests.



Following the Prime Minister's statement, Minister Oskanian took the floor, responded to Erdogan's articulation of his vision as a democratic and major strategic player in the region and beyond, contributing to peace and stability.



Minister Oskanian began by acknowledging that the Prime Minister takes pride in Turkey's democratization and "its geostrategic role in our region and beyond, to achieve peace and stability." Minister Oskanian continued by saying, "Mr. Prime Minister, you also reiterated your firm commitment to becoming a full member of the European Union, which we in Armenia support. This is precisely the kind of neighbor we would like to have. But as you know, today the border between our two countries is closed by Turkey. We've often raised this issue, stating that we would like to have normal ties with Turkey, open borders and diplomatic relations. Armenians would like to be the beneficiaries of the vision you projected here today. But we have heard you, loud and clear, repeating two main reasons, or excuses, for keeping that border closed. One of your reasons is Armenia's engagement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the second is our pursuit of genocide recognition. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict is between Armenians and Azeris. Genocide recognition is our moral, historic obligation. Our countries are not at war, Mr. Prime Minister, and I wonder whether short of being at war, the reasons you always offer are sufficient to justify maintaining closed borders between our two countries. You can help us, by your positive engagement, to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Having normal relations, open borders and diplomatic relations, will allow us together to address our differences on the genocide issue. There are important processes going on and Turkey can be a natural bridge for the Caucasus, with EU and NATO. So I wonder whether you think that with Turkey's positive engagement in our region, with equal, neutral relations with all, Turkey wouldn't play a more positive role in addressing those very issues that you consider to be obstacles for normalization of our relations."



Turkey's Prime Minister did not respond to Minister Oskanian's questions about the geopolitical situation and prospects for normalization. Instead, he repeated the offer to convene historians, spoke about "1915 massacres being not proven historically" and on the one hand offered historians, archaeologists and others to study the matter, and on the other hand rejected the possibility of genocide being part of Turkish culture.



During the conference, Minister Oskanian held meetings with Lithuania's Foreign Minister, and the German Foreign Ministry's Political Director, Dr. Volker Stanzel, the RA MFA pres office reported.



Meanwhile Turkey media quotes Prime Minister Erdogan as saying, "40 thousand Armenians are living in Turkey. Armenians abandon their homeland and settle in Turkey, Why!? Because Turkey is a peaceful country."



Erdogan said Armenia should free the disputable the territory. "Secure normal living conditions for thousands of Azeris in Nagorno Karabakh. They are our brothers. Why don't you want to consider this issue? Let it be your contribution to the peaceful process," he said, Milliyet reports.