Armenian Foreign Ministry commented on the refusal to grant visas to the Turkish observers

10-05-2007

Yerevan, May 10. /Mediamax/. Spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetian described as “a bit disingenuous” the initiative of Turkey to send observers for the parliamentary elections in Armenia.

Mediamax reports that Vladimir Karapetian said this, commenting on the refusal of the official Yerevan to grant visas to eight representatives of Turkey, who were going to observe the parliamentary elections in Armenia on May 12 within the OSCE Mission.

“Turkey maintains a closed border with Armenia and refuses to establish diplomatic relations. Under these circumstances, to expect to send observers is a bit disingenuous”, Vladimir Karapetian stated.

According to him, “Armenia regrets that Turkey did not demonstrate sensitivity in relation to its citizens-representatives participating in the OSCE observer mission to Armenia, given the absence of relations between our two countries”.

“Turkey cannot choose and select which kinds of political relations it wishes to have with Armenia, and which it does not wish to have. Political and diplomatic relations are not entered into selectively”, Vladimir Karapetian stated.

“Armenia understands the concern of OSCE members regarding Armenia’s OSCE commitments, and reaffirms that we remain faithful to those commitments. But we expect that participating states will also expect Turkey to adhere to its commitments to engage in normal, neighborly relations with Armenia”, the official representative of the Armenian Foreign Ministry stated.--0--

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