YEREVAN (Armenpress)–The Armenian co-chair of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Commission (TABDC) Arsen Ghazarian–iterated today that Armenian authorities are prepared to normalize relations with neighboring Turkey without preconditions–but complained about Turkish obstinacy in not doing the same.
Speaking to reporters before the meeting of foreign ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) taking place in Yerevan "to discuss prospects for interaction in the fields of energy–transport and finances," Ghazarian revealed that about $100 million worth illegal Turkish goods arrive in Armenia annually–and stressed that TABDC’s efforts to urge Turkey to lift its blockade of Armenia and open borders–prove futile.
"Our anticipations that Turkey would revise its position on Armenia after last Autumn’s parliamentary elections–were not justified either," Ghazarian said–adding that Turkish authorities remain hostage to a 1992 decision to impose a blockade on Armenia–the lifting of which is contingent on the withdrawal of Armenian troops from Karabagh and on a final resolution to the Azeri-Armenian conflict.