Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 9 2005
No Erdogan – Kocharian Meeting in Moscow
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Moscow today for the
ceremonies in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World
War II, will first watch a procession through the Red Square, then
lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and finally attend a
reception hosted by Russian premier Putin at the Kremlin.
There are no plans for PM Erdogan to meet officially with Armenian
President Robert Kocharian, who will also be in Moscow for the
ceremonies.
Said Erdogan, “There is has been no request for a meeting. If we meet
by chance at the ceremony, we will shake hands, but that is a
different matter. However, I see no reason why we shouldn’t meet in
the future.” Erdogan will leave Russia this evening following the
day’s planned programs.
Turkish PM called Armenian President to establish a joint commission
to discuss the Armenian allegations. However Armenian side rejected
any attempt to discuss the historical disputes. Armenia does not
recognise Turkey’s, Azerbaijan’s and Georgia’s borders and occupies
20 percent of Azerbaijan.