June 24, 2004 - 19:20 AMT
ARMENIA CAN NORMALLY DEVELOP WITHOUT TURKEY, ROBERT KOCHARIAN ASSURED
The normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations is quite possible, however no preconditions should be laid here, stated Armenian President Robert Kocharian when answering the questions of Turkish deputies at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe June 23. In his words, as reported by Liberty radio station, "the Armenian party has a clear plan and can sit at the bargaining table even tomorrow." The first step in this respect should be done by Ankara, which has to determine whether it should begin the talks, the Armenian leader said. At the same time he addressed a question to Turkish deputies. "We do not understand why you keep a blockade of Armenia, organize demarches against us in various international structures? If you think we cannot do without Turkey, you are wrong. Armenia can live and normally develop without you," Robert Kocharian stated.