A two-day “Caucasus 2009” International Scientific Conference kicked off in Yerevan today. The conference has brought together scholars, scientists, politicians, and reporters from Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Russia, and European countries.
The situation in our region was serious in 2009, Director of the Armenian Center of National and International Studies, Richard Giragosian said in his speech. According to him, in 2009 Armenia tried alone to contribute to the stability and development of the region by attempting to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations.
“The superpowers – the European Union, the United States and Russia – support our position of normalizing relations without preconditions. Armenia is viewed as a fighter for maintenance of peace in the region,” Richard Giragosian said, adding that Armenia's position is firmer today than it was two years ago.
ACNIS Director expressed regret over the foreign policy of Turkey. According to his assessment, the Armenian-Turkish normalization process has entered the stage of “freezing” as a result of this policy.
“I agree with Armenian President's position that Armenia can no longer wait for Turkey's wish to normalize relations. The burden for the failure of the process of ratification of the protocols remains on Turkey and it's Turkey's turn to take the next step,” Richard Giragosian said.
According to the Head of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia, Onno Simons, stability and security in the region are important not only to the countries of the region, but also to Europe and the US.
“Serious steps need to be taken for establishment of regional stability. We try our best to contribute to the normalization of relations in the region and establishment of peace,” he said.
According to the European diplomat, every opportunity should be used for dialogue. “Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are participants of the EU Eastern Partnership Program. They should use the opportunities provided by this structure to solve the existing problems. Regional development will be impossible without it,” Onno Simons said.
Karen Ghazaryan - Public Radio of Armenia