Europe-Armenia Advisory Council member MEP Frank Engel interviewed by Armenian media

/Arminfo/ — 2010/03/18 — It is very much important for Azerbaijan to occupy constructive position in the matter of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia, member of the European Parliament Frank Engel.

He also added that Azerbaijan would have to recognize that it is actually hampering Turkish EU accession prospects by insisting that the Karabagh issue has to be part and parcel of any possible normalisation of relations between Turkey and Armenia. Of course, Turkish and Azerbaijani interests overlap in a very significant way, but then again, Turkey is now compelled to make a move on its own that Azerbaijan will not be in agreement with, he said.

/Arminfo/ — 2010/03/18 – The European Union should resort to more drastic measures with respect to Turkey for the latter to normalize relations with Armenia without delay, European Parliament member, member of the European-Armenian Advisory Council Frank Engel said to ArmInfo.

He said this is just the main hitch, as EU cannot be guided by uncertainty in the issues of establishment of normal diplomatic and good neighbourly relations with Armenia and Cyprus. According to him, they must clarify the fact that the process of negotiations in EU may be affected if the process of normalization of relations with Armenia does not advance with high rates. He added that any diplomatic initiative is preferable, including a persistent call to Turkey at the top level for Ankara to adhere to the targeted policy. As he said, it is necessary to harden the rhetoric and actions and added that it is impossible to imagine for any existing EU member-state could join the Union having no normal relations with its neighbours, though some of them are still strained relations with each other.