Yesterday the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby conveyed the stance of the EU on the Armenian and Turkish relations during the parliamentary hearings in Armenia. In his words the EU is ready to help improve the relations between Armenia and Turkey. “We think that all the issues that relate to Armenia-Turkey relations, must be discussed. It includes both historical and boundary issues. We think that every recommendation in this regard is useful,” said Semneby. In particular, he dwelled on the letter of the Turkish prime minister Erdogan to the Armenian president Robert Kocharyan calling for setting up a commission to discuss the historical issues. He says they think the Armenian and Turkish relations should be discussed, including the historical issues, the border issues, and it is useful to consider every such proposal. The reporters asked Semneby if he is aware of the reply of Robert Kocharyan who proposed setting up an intergovernmental commission instead of a commission of historians to address all the issues. Semneby says there were many different initiatives, and the one he mentioned is the latest. Generally, he is hopeful that the hearings at the Armenian parliament will continue, and both Armenia and Turkey will make efforts. According to him, the greatest problem is the lack of contacts and confidence between the sides. “If the sides overcome these hindrances, it will be easier to reach agreement on a dialogue, and improvement of relations,” Peter Semneby says. In answer to the question on comparison with the European countries, historical controversies should not be identified with the Armenian and Turkish relations. However, he also says these could serve as models for the sides of the Armenian and Turkish relations. “I wouldn’t like to draw comparisons,” he said. As to negotiations on Turkey’s entry to the EU, Peter Semneby said for a long time now Turkey has complied with the benchmarks set by the EU decades ago. He also said that in the framework of his visit he is not going to visit NKR.
