DIALOGUE WITH ARMENIA AGAIN ON THE AGENDA OF TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER
By Hakob Chaqrian

AZG Armenian Daily
24/04/2008

Armenia-Turkey

On April 21, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plasnik while being on
an official visit to Ankara met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali
Babacan. In a joint press conference after the meeting and also in
the opening ceremony of a round table under heading "Turkish-Austrian
neighborhood" the two Ministers touched upon the issue of Turkish
relations with Armenia.

According to "CNN-Turk", Ali Babacan expressed readiness to regulate
the relations with Armenia.

"Turkey keeps open its doors especially for the newly formed government
of Armenia", he said.

The Austrian Foreign Minister recalled the announcement of Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, "We are ready for the dialogue with
Turkey". The Austrian Foreign Minister mentioned that it is evident
from the words of Babacan that Turkey is also ready for the dialogue.

"Armenia held elections and already formed a government. A new Foreign
Minister is also appointed.

I have sent a congratulatory message and mentioned in the message that
Turkey is ready for a dialogue to normalize relations with Armenia. We
are taking some preparatory steps towards the relations with Armenia
and we are ready to inform the new Government of Armenia of those
steps and carry out them together. ".