EU calls on Turkey-Armenia to ratify deals

In a statement, Ashton, who is also the Vice-President of the European Commission, said Tuesday that the European Union encourages Armenia and Turkey to remain committed to the process of normalization.

Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols on October 10, 2009 to normalize relations between the two countries. The protocols, which have to be ratified by parliaments of both countries, envisage the two countries to establish diplomatic ties and open the border that has been closed since 1993.

"In this context, the EU welcomes the decision of the Armenian President to submit both protocols to the parliament as well as the recent declaration by the President of Turkey to remain committed to the normalization of relations with Armenia," Ashton said.

"The European Union believes that the full normalization of bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution to security, stability and cooperation in the Southern Caucasus. The EU will continue to provide its political and technical support to this process and stands ready to help implementing the steps agreed between the two countries," she said.


/World Bulletin/