November 16, 2000 - 18:15 AMT
TURKEY MAY NOT ENDLESSLY IGNORE CALLS ON NECESSITY TO START DIALOG WITH ARMENIA, ARMENIAN DIPLOMAT SAID
16.11.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Turkey may not endlessly ignore the calls of various states and international organizations on the necessity to start dialog with Armenia, the Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Ara Papian said to Mediamax while commenting the decision of the European Parliament. The establishment of diplomatic relations with Armenia and recognition of the Armenian Genocide are named in this document along with a number of preconditions for Turkey's accession to the European Union.
Ara Papian reminded that on October 3 of 2000 the US State Department also called upon Turkey to start a dialog with Armenia. "Today, when Turkey is absolutely interested in developing relations with Europe and the European Union, it has to make a choice," the Armenian diplomat underlined.
The Spokesman Papian said to Mediamax that recognition of the Armenian Genocide is of priority for Turkey. "Repentance is possible only in case of admission of own mistakes," the Spokesman said. Papian appraised the fact that the number of people standing for the necessity to recognize the Armenian Genocide is growing in Turkey. --0--