ANKARA - A Turkish member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) said Saturday the people and administrators of Armenia were aware that the diaspora harmed them.
Eyup Fatsa, an MP from northern province of Ordu and a member of the Turkish Group in PABSEC, talked to AA on his trip to Yerevan between April 16th and 18th where he attended a meeting of the PABSEC`s Political Committee and titled "Terrorism".
"I was concerned that the Armenians may bring up the issue of 1915 incidents and cause tension on the topic of terrorism. Yet the Armenians displayed warm hospitality and acted sincerely. They did not bring up issues on which we were concerned," Fatsa said.
"Armenian MPs who were our hosts gave us tours in the country. We attended luncheons and dinners hosted by the PABSEC Armenian Group chairman and deputy speaker of the Armenian parliament," Fatsa said.
"I have informed the Armenians that there are certain issues between Turkey and Armenia. The two countries are very close to each other. The distance between Yerevan and Turkish Igdir province is only 27 kilometers. We must find political solutions to political matters and leave historical issues to historians," Fatsa noted.
"Armenian politicians request that the border gate with Turkey get opened," Fatsa said.
"Despite all the problems, the trade volume between Turkey and Armenia has reached 180 million USD," Fatsa said.
"Armenian people and politicians indicate that the development of relations between Armenia and Turkey are to the benefit of Armenia," Fatsa said.
(SOL-GC)