Vardan Oskanyan: Willingness to open border with uncompromising neighbor is a concession in itself

PanARMENIAN.Net - "If the Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministries' joint statement was not really induced by foreign powers, then Armenian authorities are indifferent towards our general feelings. If the statement was calculated to impose certain concession on us, then the issue of Genocide recognition has become a subject of bartering, and this is impermissible," RA ex-Foreign Minister V. Oskanyan said.



"Since gaining independence, Armenia has expressed willingness to re-establish ties with Turkey without preconditions. However, the official Ankara did not respond to our proposal on overcoming our past with joint efforts. Willingness to open border with uncompromising neighbor is a concession in itself. To shake hands with a Government denying the Armenian Genocide is a very serious concession which may have a security impact," former RA FM says in his statement.



Denying its own history, Turkey in the meantime is abusing the Armenian government's good will. "I don't want any of us to have doubts about sincerity of our authorities' desires. However, after expression of such good will, the situation has changed to so much and so many preconditions have been advanced that the process is now in a state of uncertainty," V. Oskanyan stresses.



According to ex-Foreign Minister, RA authorities have always managed to resist the Turkish and Azerbaijani efforts towards provoking Armenia into concessions. "I hope present-day authorities will be as sensible and determined as their predecessors," Mr. Oskanyan said.