An open letter to the Foreign Minister of Turkey
"Your Excellency,
During the two presentations you gave in London this January, in answer to the questions put forward to you by the representative of the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE), you stated twice that Turkey was not prepared to ratify the Turkey-Armenia protocols if Armenians did not give up their campaign for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and return to Azerbaijan the territories liberated by blood during the war.
Thus, the very fact numerous Armenian organisations in Europe and around the world pointed out - i.e. that despite the fact that Armenia respecting the agreement did not incorporate any preconditions within the protocols, whereas Turkey breaching the agreement will attempt to create preconditions both for the Genocide as well as an issue between a third country and Armenia - has today turned out to be accurate. Hence Turkey is not prepared to stop the blockade of the Armenian border and is not prepared to establish good relations as a normal neighbour and a country adhering to European standards and thus resolve problems accumulated over a century with its important neighbour. Meanwhile, Turkey presents itself as a country following the path to democracy with great ambitions having taking upon itself the important role of resolving many of the key issues in the region.
Your Excellency, please be assured that if Turkey does not ratify the Armenian-Turkish protocols in the next few weeks, the international community will objectively assess that fact and the European Armenian organisations will enhance even further their struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by more and more countries, thus enlarging the geography of countries that have recognised the Armenian Genocide. What is more, the FAAE will review its position on Turkey's accession to the EU and will take a firm decision against it.
Whilst we are aware that an open border is much more favourable to Turkey than it is to Armenia, we nonetheless welcome the steps taken by the presidents of the two neighbouring countries and we ask of you not to impair but to aid the process.
We anticipate positive steps to be taken and the promises to be honoured by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Turkey with hope and faith".
