Representatives of the Strong Turkey Party cannot understand the objections after raised after they crossed the Armenian-Turkish border, Tuna Beklevic, Chairman of the Strong Turkey Party (GTP), told journalists Oct. 29.

“The water is hardly 50 cm high in the place where we crossed the border. The place is 150 north of the historical bridge Ani. Instead of accusing us of lie, they had better discuss more serious topics. We did not cross the border with malicious intent. That was only an appeal for reopening the Armenian-Turkish border. As to the Russian frontier guards, they made wrong statements. I am sure they were well aware of our crossing the border,” Beklevic said. He pointed out he and his associates have been criticized in Turkey.

“After all, someone must deal with this issue. We are most insistent on the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border. We are sure that the border will be reopened in 2011. I am sure that 90% of the voters at a referendum we plan to hold in Kars will vote for the reopening of the border. We know Turkish society welcomes the process. The opponents are much fewer on both sides. But they are crying louder, so they seem to be more. But I say the year 2011 will be our year - a year of proponents of opening of the Armenian-Turkish border,” Beklevic said.