The Anatolian Times, Turkey
June 2 2006

Turkey Intends To Pursue Efforts To Normalize Relations With Armenia,
Tan

ANKARA – “Turkey is intending to pursue efforts to normalize
relations with Armenia,“ Turkish MFA Spokesman Namik Tan said on
Wednesday.
Tan told a weekly news conference that Turkey was resolved to
establish peace, tranquility and stability in its region as its
traditional foreign policy principle.

“Success of Turkey`s efforts to normalize relations (with Armenia)
depends on a more flexible and constructive approach from Yerevan as
well as to the overcoming of bilateral and regional problems. It also
depends on Armenia`s willingness of abiding by international law,“
Tan noted.

Giving information to journalists about the process, Tan said Turkey
has asked Armenia to establish a joint commission comprising Turkish
and Armenian experts to investigate the incidents that had occurred
in 1915.

Tan said Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a letter to Armenian
President Robert Kocharian in April 2005 including this suggestion.

“Upon the response letter of Kocharian to Erdogan, a negotiation
process has started between the two countries to seek a common
ground. Three rounds of talks were held so far,“ Tan indicated.