May 5, 2005 - 12:43 AMT
ARMENIAN ISSUE WILL AFFECT TALKS ON TURKEY ACCESSION TO EU
The Armenian issue will effect the talks over Turkey's accession to the EU without fail, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie stated at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian today." However, Armenia should not sit on its hands, but it should act," he stated. When commenting on the correspondence between the Armenian President and the Turkish Premier, Talvitie noted that just now the Armenian-Turkish dialogue has begun. However, he simultaneously noted that the EU does not have an official stand regarding the proposal of Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan over forming a joint historical commission to study the events of 1915. In his words, if the parties reach a consensus, the EU will not object to their decision. He also noted that the opening of the Armenian border by Turkey would have been an important move, however time is necessary to that end.