EAFJD: EU Should Fully Suspend Talks with TurkeyDecember 1, 2006 - 17:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - "The European Commission has fallen far short of its obligations to enforce Turkey's compliance or to punish its flagrant violation of its own commitments across a broad range of issues. Europeans expect the Commission to act in a more principled and responsible manners on this core matter concerning the future of the EU," said the Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation, Mrs Hilda Tchoboian. In her words, the European Armenian Federation considers these half-measures a clear retreat from the Council's own decision in December of 2004, which firmly established the terms of the negotiation framework. This understanding stipulated that, in case of serious and persistent violation of the principles on which the Union is based, the Commission must fully suspend its negotiations with Turkey, the EAFJD told PanARMENIAN.Net "European civil society does not understand why the Commission keeps on acting as the hostage of Ankara's demands for double standards and special treatment. Far from demanding Turkey's compliance, the Commission is actively ignoring the recent European Parliament resolution regarding the conditions for the suspension of talks with Turkey," said Tchoboian. "As such, we call on Member States to recognize the Commissions moral failure and to enact measures of their own accord to ensure that the values and the standards of the Union are respected," she said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |