Czech President Milos Zeman Recognizes Armenian Genocide
PRAGUE—President Serzh Sarkisian, during an official visit to Prague Thursday, defended Armenia’s efforts to quickly expedite Armenia’s membership into the Customs Union, but pledges his country’s commitment to cooperation with Europe.
Speaking at a press conference with his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman, Sarkisian said: “If we decided to join the Customs Union, then we must do that as quickly as possible. Why should we slow down?”
“If our decision is based on our national interests,” Sarkisian said “then it must be put into practice as soon as possible.”
Sarkisian dismissed a suggestion from an RFE/RL reporter that Armenia should not have joined the Customs Union, since Russia continues to supply arms to Azerbaijan.
“I want to remind you that the Customs Union is a primarily economic, rather than military, structure,” he said. “And it is wrong to call into question Russian-Armenian strategic cooperation.”
“True, the Russian side is cooperating with Azerbaijan as well, but that doesn’t mean that we have the right and capacity to block that cooperation,” he added.
Sarkisian also added that the Russian-Armenian security pact has contributed to Armenia’s ability to ward off Azeri incursions and attacks at the border.
The Armenian leader stressed that cooperation with Europe remained a priority for Armenian foreign policy.
“It was here five years ago that Armenia assumed the commitment to develop deeper cooperation with the European Union, which we reiterated at the Vilnius Summit in November,” said Sarkisian at the press conference.
“We are resolute to continue to develop and expand our relations with the European Union and anticipate comprehensive support from friendly countries, including the Czech Republic,” said Sarkisian.
He also hailed the Czech Republic’s constructive position on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, saying that “prospects for a conflict resolution do not seem realistic, unless Azerbaijan stops its bellicose propaganda, arms race and the vicious policy of provocations at the ‘Line of Contact.’”
“It’s time for Azerbaijan to adopt a constructive policy towards the resolution of the issue exceptionally in a peaceful way. Here we expect unbiased support from the international community,” said Sarkisian.
Czech President Recognizes Genocide
In his remarks during the press conference, Zelman referred to the events of 1915 as genocide, acknowledging the upcoming centennial in 2015.
“Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In 1915 1.5 million Armenians were killed,” said Zelman.
In response to a question from a Hailour reporter about Turkey’s membership in the European Union, Sarkisian said that the decision to admit Turkey in the Union is a decision that European Union members can make, adding however, that Armenia would like to have a democratic state as its neighbor.
“For Armenia, Turkey’s membership in the European Union, first and foremost means the opening of the border,” said Sarkisian, whose administration signed the dangerous Turkey-Armenia protocols, which Turkey is not ratifying by pre-conditioning a pro-Azeri resolution to the Karabakh conflict.
“Of course, it would be much easier for us to deal with a democratic state. Becoming a member of the European Union means exactly that,” added Sarkisian.
Congratulations to Sarkissian and it’s government. It was the obvious and only pragmatic choice to join the custom union . The alternative of the EU was a no proposition from the start.
Very nice and intelligent responses from the much leveled President Sarkissian. I hope sincerely Armenia will give birth to more shrewd politicians such as himself.
What, no Russophobes freaking out? Where are all the predictions of doom&gloom by Amerika-Hays?
Thank you Mr. President for saving Armenia from eventual annihilation with your very wise decision.
Good Job President, European Union is the club of three: Germany, France, UK, the rest are bankrupt and slaves of this Elite group, See: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the list goes on.