CLOSE BORDERS NOT JUSTIFIED BY ARMENIAN-TURKISH DIFFERENCES

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia considers that any differences with Turkey cannot justify the availability of close borders between the two countries and absence of bilateral relations, Armenian Permanent Representative of the CoE Christian Ter-Stepanian said when addressing a meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. In his words, the opening of the borders without preconditions will become a considerable move toward establishment of a dialogue within the framework of the Armenian-Turkish Intergovernmental Commission. The Commission will discuss and made decisions over the issues that still burden Turkey and Armenia. "This is exactly the essence of the proposal of Armenian President R. Kocharian made to the Turkish PM, which was not responded until now," Ter-Stepanian stated. "At the same time we can state that the Turkish authorities have never lacked pretexts to refuse from opening of the borders and establishing diplomatic relations. Thus, Turkey lately noted absence of progress in the Karabakh settlement, thus explaining its own stand over the issue," he stated. However, in his words, we were sure the exchange of letters between our state leaders opened a window toward the beginning of a dialogue. We state with pity that Turkey again did not use the opportunity to normalize relations with Armenia.