06 06 02 - ANKARA AGAIN SEEKS TO MISLEAD EUROPE ABOUT ITS ANTAGONISTIC POLICY TOWARD ARMENIA

Reports, based on sources in the Turkish government, are being circulated by the Turkish media allege that "secret talks" are taking place between Armenia and Turkey aimed at normalizing relations between these two countries. Sources close to the Turkish government quoted the government's spokesperson, Namik Tan, as saying that Turkey intends to continue to make efforts to normalize relations with Armenia.

The European Armenian Federation recalls that, each year, on the eve of the European Union's annual assessment of Turkey's candidacy, Ankara
revives its efforts to misinform and disorient European public opinion about its true intentions and policies toward Armenia.

"We have no doubt that meetings between emissaries of both countries may occur but there is a clear evidence that, as in the past, actual progress will not be possible until Turkey undertakes a fundamental realignment of its policies toward Armenia," said Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation.

The Federation notes that Turkey continues to strangle Armenia through blockade and a broader strategy aimed at isolating Armenia internationally, and that it persists in escalating its political campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide.

"Along the same lines as the notorious Erdogan proposal to establish a 'historians committee,' this new effort does little to conceal Turkey's
belligerent attitude toward Armenia or its desire to treat Armenia as a hostage country," continued Tchoboian.

The European Armenian Federation urges the European authorities to condemn Turkey's efforts to mislead and confuse the European family of nations regarding its true posture toward Armenia.

"If Turkey truly wants to become a European nation, it needs to take the steps that the world expects of it - including acknowledging its state responsibility for the Armenian Genocide and lifting its blockade of Armenia," concluded Tchoboian.

EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
for Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B-1000 Bruxelles
Tel: +322 732 70 26
Tel/Fax: +322 732 70 27
Email: contact@eafjd.org

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
June 2, 2006
Contact: Vartenie ECHO
Tel: +322 732 70 26

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