Armenian-Turkish Film-Fest Dialogue

ArmenPress
Nov 23 2001

TURKS, ARMENIANS TRYING TO OVERCOME PAST

ISTANBUL, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Scientists and art critics
from Armenia, Turkey, Switzerland and France gathered in Istanbul, on
the sidelines of an international film festival, to share their
viewpoints and visions about how Armenia and Turkey should overcome
their bitter past and move ahead. The meeting is called "Turks and
Armenians: One Thousand Years Together."
A Turkish on-line "ntvmsnbc" newspaper writes that experts on
Turkish and Armenian affairs from the four countries stressed that
the history should not be politicized and that it should be
approached from the positions of science.
The French historian Jefakoff said that no matter how hard it is
neighbor countries should do everything to normalize relations.
An Armenian expert on Turkish affairs Alexander Safarian said
that though Turkey has recognized Armenia's independence, but refuses
to establish diplomatic relations with it. Safarian went on to say
that not only the two nations, but the governments as well should
embark on a constructive dialogue. He also emphasized the necessity
for development of Turkish-Armenian relations within the framework of
the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), adding that Armenian
representation in the BSEC, located in Istanbul, has good chances to
contribute to it.
Safarian meantime described the role of Azerbaijan in
Turkish-Armenian relations as "difficult to comprehend." Citing the
example of Cyprus, he said that despite it Turkey and Greece continue
maintaining diplomatic relations.