BRUSSELS–The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) welcomed on Friday statements by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Catherine Ashton, confirming the European Union’s unwavering commitment to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey without pre-conditions.
According the EAFJD, inherent in the EU statement is the recognition by EU’s highest-level leadership that an imbalance exists between how Armenia and Turkey have approached normalization efforts.
“Yerevan has followed the ‘no pre-conditions’ principle and has submitted the signed Protocols to its Parliament. Ankara, however, is insisting on pre-conditions that are halting the ratification process, while simultaneously calling for the normalization of relations” said EAFJD Chairperson Hilda Tchoboian.
Tchoboian also said the EAFJD “commends the European executive for its active efforts toward reinforcement of ties, within the Eastern Partnership framework, between Armenia and the European Union” This, she added, will lead to closer political association and economic integration between Armenia and the EU.
Tchoboian, however, noted that the EAFJD “deeply regrets” that there has yet to be a “strong and unanimous condemnation” by the EU leadership of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent threats to deport Armenians living in Turkey in retaliation for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by a Key US congressional committee.
“Turkey’s present blockade of Armenia and its systematic policy of denial of the Armenian Genocide should lead the European Union to have a full appreciation of Turkey’s politics of aggression in the region,” she added.
European Armenians, Tchoboian explained, expect Europe’s leadership to stand firm on “its refusal of any pre-conditions to normalization of relations.” They also expect the leaders of Europe, she added, “to clearly demand that the Turkish blockade of Armenia is lifted once and for all.”
