Turkish Daily News: Armenia cold to Turkey's call for dialogueApril 22, 2008 - 16:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan sent a letter to his newly appointed Armenian counterpart, saying that Turkey is open to dialogue for normalization of troubled ties. "There is no doubt that there are problems in the two countries' relations but a solution passes through dialogue. Our doors are open to dialogue," Babacan said during a news conference with visiting Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, Turkish Daily News reports. Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenia's Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said, "We have numerously stated that we are willing to normalize relations without preconditions. Genocide is a black page in our common history. We should turn over this page and build our future." "We received the letter from Babacan and we think it very positive," the TDN quoted an Armenian diplomat, who wished to remain unnamed. "But this [call for dialogue] should not only be in words, but also in deeds. We expect action," he said, reiterating Armenia's willingness to re-establish diplomatic relations and re-open the borders without any preconditions. "This is one of the key elements. It is nonsense for a European Union aspirant country to keep its borders closed," the diplomat said. The TDN article also mentions of the Armenian Diaspora's pressure for international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as "invasion of Nagorno Karabakh, an Azeri territory, by Armenian troops." Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 over the Nagorno Karabakh issue. 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 | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |