Armenia not to be able to join the EU with closed borders

February 10, 2010 - 15:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
"Russia is far ahead of Armenia on the wat to European integration, but if you compare us with countries in the region, Georgia and Azerbaijan, we are leaders," Victor Yengibaryan , chairman of the European Movement of Armenia told a press conference in Yerevan. According to him, Armenia should understand the future of Europe and define its future policies in line accordingly.

"We still have a long way before thinking of the European Union membership", Engibaryan said, adding that Armenia should not be afraid to state about its plans to join the EU in future. The country has no action plan so far.

"Armenia will not be able to join the EU with closed borders," Engibaryan said, adding that Until Armenia does not settle issues related to the Karabakh conflict and Armenian-Turkish relations, it is useless to speak of EU membership.

The European Movement implements a number of projects, including student exchange programs, in particular, Yerevan hosts students from Norway at the moment.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.