Armenia-Turkey, Nagorno-Karabakh processes should not be linked, Philip Gordon says

17:50 01/12/2009 » Politics

Armenia-Turkey, Nagorno-Karabakh processes should not be linked, Philip Gordon says

Washington doesn’t link the processes of the Armenian-Turkish normalization and Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful settlement and thinks both Armenia and Turkey on the one hand and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh on the other hand, will benefit from them and the processes don't need to be linked, the US Department of State Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon told a press conference November 12 in Ankara.

The US official touched upon Ankara-Washington agenda issues, Armenia-Turkey, Nagorno-Karabakh processes, and others.

“On Turkey-Armenia we are very pleased that the countries reached this historic agreement on Oct. 10th, and that they signed the two protocols on normalization of relations and development of relations. This really is a historic process and from which both sides could benefit immensely. We applaud the courage and vision of the leaders on both sides. We know this wasn't easy. There is lot of opposition in Turkey, there is lot opposition in Armenia and yet the leaders were insightful enough and bold enough to make the case that this is in their interest and go and sign the protocols. We supported that process and we applaud their agreement to do so. We would like to see it move forward. The protocols have been referred to Parliaments for ratification and obviously they need to be ratified before they are implemented. If they can be ratified and implemented then this can lead to open borders, more trade, prosperity and peace among neighbors. So, that's why we are so strongly supportive of this process,” Gordon said.

Referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Philip Gordon said: “We don't link the two issues because we think that they are both, that Turkey-Armenia normalization is important and a good thing in its own right. It shouldn't be linked to anything else and we also support Nagorno-Karabakh settlement because we think it would benefit both parties and it doesn't need to be linked to anything else. So we are actively working as co-chairs of the Minsk group on the Nagorno-Karabakh solution, regardless of anything else. It would benefit both sides - that's a conflict that led to many thousands of deaths and displaced persons and current tension and closed borders.

So for the same reason we want to promote reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia we want to promote it between Armenian and Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh to be engaged from that process. It's difficult; if it wasn't then it wouldn't be stuck where it is for so long. But there, too, the leaders are talking to each other. In any negotiation people drive hard bargains, but we think that the reality that both sides would benefit from a settlement gives us some optimism that a settlement can be reached and that would really be historic progress for the region if both of those things could move forward in the near future.”

Source: Panorama.am

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