Turkey has yet to pass a long way to be admitted to the European Union (EU), Polish Ambassador to Armenia Zdzislaw Raczynski told journalists Nov. 18.

According to him, Turkey’s admission to the EU would complicate a number of issues. Specifically, Turkey is a state from a problematic region, with a culture and religion different from that of the EU member-states. Before being admitted to the EU, Turkey will have to settle the problem of its relations with Armenia. First of all, this means assessing its past, as many of the EU member-states, including Poland, have recognized the Armenian Genocide, the diplomat said. Ambassador Raczynski believes that Turkey will sooner or later recognize the Armenian Genocide. It may happen in 50 or 100 years, but the Turkish Premier will some day lay flowers at the monument to Armenian Genocide victims.

Before being admitted to the EU, Turkey will have to reopen borders with Armenia. However, this problem will be solved much earlier than that of Genocide recognition. Closed border in modern world is nonsense, the Polish Ambassador said. “We are removing borders thereby opening up opportunities for relations,” he said.

As regards Armenian-Turkish relations, Ambassador Raczynski said that the current problems are to a great extent the result of Turkey’s domestic political problems. According to him, Turkey underestimated Azerbaijan, as well as its supporters inside Turkey.