Ambassador: Turkey should recognize Genocide and open border

We do not doubt that on the way of Turkey’s membership to the European Union Turkish Prime Minister will arrive in Armenia to honor victims of the Armenian Genocide, Ambassador of Poland to Armenia Zdzisław Raczyński told a news conference in Yerevan noting that “the sooner Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, the better.”

The diplomat stressed that Turkey’s membership to the European Union directly relates to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

According to the Ambassador, for joining EU Turkey should not only open the border with Armenia but also should reassess the past by recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

“Turkey should recognize the Armenian Genocide, should open the border with Armenia. For Europe, it is unacceptable to have closed borders,” Ambassador said noting that Armenia and Turkey have rather active commodity turnover transported through other countries.

The diplomat said that border’s future is also impacted by Azerbaijan’s position.

Zdzisław Raczyński said that the Armenian-Turkish normalization process was launched by the Armenian authorities.

“The Armenian authorities independently launched the process, and the international community respected the initiative.”

Compromise and mutual respect are key principles for the European Union, the diplomat concluded.