Establishment of neighborly relations with Turkey to provide Armenia with ample opportunity

Hans-Jochen Schmidt:

Establishment of neighborly relations with Turkey to provide Armenia with ample opportunity

PanARMENIAN.Net - Establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey will prepare the ground for new relations in the region, newly appointed Germany's Ambassador to Armenia Hans-Jochen Schmidt said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. To achieve progress in EU accession talks, Turkey should take action to resolve a number of issues, including normalization of relations with Armenia. Thus, it will demonstrate ability to take balanced decisions share the responsibility for regional security, according to the Ambassador.
What's your vision for the future of Armenian-Turkish relations

Establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey will prepare the ground for new relations in the region. It's hard for Armenians to forget the past but it's politically important to normalize relations with neighbors, like Germany, France and Poland did.

What consequences can Armenia expect from opening of the border with Turkey?

Armenia is interested in finding new opportunities and it will get the with the open border, which convey an impulse to the republic's trade and economic policy. Establishing neighborly relations with Turkey, Armenia will obtain new trade routes.

Could the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border and establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey promote Turkey's accession to EU? 

According to EU requirements to become a member of the European family, Turkey will have a lot to overcome. Without making predictions about the impact of the border opening on Turkey's accession to the EU, I would like to note that in the interests of the EU that Turkey to take steps to establish stability in the South Caucasus and to improve relations with the countries of the region.

It is essential for Turkey during the forthcoming talks to raise its rating, making positive steps towards addressing issues of Armenian-Turkish relations, proving its responsibility for regional security and compliance of solutions to balanced relations. 

I know that such relationships are possible, but I also understand the difficulties. I also wish good luck to Armenia and Turkey in the steps taken.  The EU and especially Germany politically, not only supports but also welcomes the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey.
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