Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) commends Yerevan for its bold initiatives in normalizing relations wit Turkey without preconditions. AAA reports PanARMENIAN.Net:
“I commend the leadership of President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in taking bold steps that led to this promising juncture in Armenian-Turkish relations,” stated Armenian Assembly Chairman Hirair Hovnanian.
“This process was not easy and undoubtedly there will be more hard work in the days and months ahead. We stand with those who are working to secure a solid foundation for the future of Armenia and for stability in the region,” added Hovnanian. The Armenian Assembly awaits further details to make a thorough assessment.
The United States welcomed the joint statement by noting that “it has long been and remains the position of the United States that normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.” The Assembly supports efforts by Armenia and Turkey to normalize relations without preconditions.
While there has been speculation that Turkey would only agree to a framework proposal if President Barack Obama reneged on his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide, we are confident that President Obama has not changed his views as he made clear while in Turkey earlier this month. Affirmation of the Armenian Genocide should not be held hostage to normalization of relations. The Armenian government is fully aware of these sensitivities and we anticipate informed and vigorous public debates with the involvement of civil societies.
This development builds upon earlier civil society initiatives and the undaunted spirit of individuals, such as the late Hrant Dink, who set an example by his moral leadership and served as a bridge between Armenians and Turks. Experience has demonstrated that the road of reconciling Turkey with its genocidal legacy will be difficult, but there is an irreversible trend within Turkish civil society to come to terms with its past.
