Turkey seeks improved ties with Armenia – ruling party MP

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
21 Mar 05

Bursa, 21 March: Egemen Bagis, chairman of Turkey-US Parliamentary
Friendship Group and a deputy from Justice and Development Party
(AKP), stated that there are some circles which claim that there is
an anti-American sentiment in Turkey. [Passage omitted]

Bagis further indicated that, prior to 3 November 2002, Turkey did
not have good relations with its neighbours. “In the past several
years, relations with Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Iran and
Iraq have improved. The ties with Armenia are not at the level where
they should be due to Armenian insistence on some borders.”

Bagis commented that Armenians once again have historical
allegations. “If the Armenians cool off tensions between Turkey and
Armenia, they will surely receive a positive response. In 2004,
we have permitted flights of the Armenian national airlines to
Istanbul four times a week. We have given a hand of friendship to
the Armenians. According to data I have received, there are over
30,000 Armenian citizens working in Turkey. These Armenians are not
Turkish citizens but have come to Turkey for various reasons. About
half of these Armenians look after our children as baby sitters. This
incident itself shows that we have no hatred of any one but love for
all. We share common cultural values.”