Chairman of the “Strong Turkey” Tuna Beklevic is dissatisfied with the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s indifferent attitude.

"Arriving in Yerevan, we were hoping to have a cup of tea or coffee in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and to chat, but it did not happen," - noted Beklevic with regret, hinting at the same time that the MFA can fill this “gap” until tomorrow morning.

"Yesterday’s statement by Foreign Minister regarding our visit saddened us and broke our hearts. This is our third visit already; we arrived with purpose of the opening of the border and the strengthening of relations between the two nations. This is somewhat a community effort. Neither the Turkish Government has sent us here, nor has the Armenian government invited us. We are not obliged to listen to the Turkish or Armenian governments. We consider our visit joint efforts of the Armenian and Turkish youth. This is a visit of Peace and Friendship”- said Beklevic, expressing  hope that one day they will sit at a table with the Armenian Government  and drink tea or coffee together.

As for opening the Armenian-Turkish border, the chairman noted that they were working in this direction for one year. “We support the idea of opening the closed border between Turkey and Armenia, and understand that it needs to muster will. We share the pain of both sides. We believe that opening the border between the two countries is only a matter between Armenia and Turkey, and no external force should interfere.”- expressed Beklevic, promising to convey the results of the Turkish government after they meet with any representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, if only such a meeting takes place.

“Our party, which is able to gain 4.3% of the vote in Turkey, is dissatisfied with the current progress of the Armenian-Turkish talks. But, as difficult as it may be, we will be consistent with the border opening,” - said Beklevic.

Deputy chairman Baybars Orsek, added that “Strong Turkey wants to see the Armenian-Turkish border open, without preconditions. “First and foremost, the border should open, and only then to discuss unresolved issues” - he said.

In conclusion, Tuna Beklevic expressed the conviction that Armenian Foreign Ministry should meet them regardless of their will.