DISCUSSIONS ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

AZG Armenian Daily
22/05/2008

Armenia-Turkey

With the assistance of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) a conference under heading "Global challenges and
threats: Are joint efforts between Armenia and Turkey possible?" was
held at "Congress" hotel in Yerevan.

Eurasia Partnership Foundation together with the Analytical Center
for Globalization and Regional Cooperation organized the conference.

Armenian and Turkish experts, representatives of Embassies and several
international organizations accredited to Armenia participated in
the conference.

Head of Political Department of the US Embassy Steven Banks mentioned
that the USA with its active diplomatic efforts tries to contribute
to the establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey, but
these efforts of NGOs may also contribute to the establishment of
diplomatic relations.

As Director of the Analytical Center for Globalization and Regional
Cooperation Stepan Grigorian mentioned the public discussions of
Armenian-Turkish relations may be more efficient as they are conducted
in more unconstrained atmosphere.

Armen Ashotian, Alexander Iskandarian from Armenia, Diba Nigar Goksel,
Cem Toker, Arda Batu from Turkey also delivered speeches. According
to them, in spite of various available issues, there are also issues
where the interests of the two countries may coincide.