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Borders between Turkey and Armenia could be opened if invasion to Karabakh ended - Erdogan

Türkiye Materials 16 May 2009 04:12 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's stance regarding Turkey's EU membership was unsteady, Turk.net reported.

Erdogan attended a conference at Gdansk University in Poland and replied to questions of students.

Commenting on Sarkozy's approach to Turkey's EU process, Erdogan said, "Mr. Sarkozy talks differently when we are together and we are apart. This is definitely not a desirable attitude".

Erdogan said that EU was not obliged to accept Turkey as a member, however, the union should clearly state if it did not desire Turkey's membership.

"Does Turkey's population disturb EU or is the union concerned that majority of the people living in Turkey are Muslims?," he said.

Commenting on Turkish-Armenian relations, Erdogan said that positive steps had been taken recently in the relations between the two countries.

"The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a matter that concerns us. We cannot ignore this issue," he said.

Erdogan said that Turkey closed its border with Armenia as this country invaded Upper Karabakh. He said the border gate could be opened if the invasion ended.

Upon a question on Greece's stance regarding Turkey's EU bid, Erdogan said that Greece supported such process.

"Unfortunately, the situation regarding Cyprus is a problem ahead us. I hope we will overcome this issue," he said.

Erdogan also said that Turkey was trying hard to become an EU-member for almost 50 years.

"If Turkey does not become a part of EU, the union will only be a Christians' Club, but nothing else. This is the reality," he said.

Erdogan said that Turkey was exerting extreme efforts to meet membership criteria, however, the country did not see it as a unilateral process and expected the same determination from EU-member states.

He said Turkey desired the union to display a fair approach and to be committed to its promises.

After completing his talks in Poland, Premier Erdogan left Gdansk for Turkey.

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