FORMER ARMENIAN FM ON TURKEY’S PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH CAUCASUS PLATFORM

Turkish Press, MI
Aug 26 2008

ANKARA – Armenia`s former foreign minister said on Tuesday that
Turkey`s proposal for the establishment of a "Caucasus Cooperation
and Stability Platform" was interesting.

In an article titled "The Caucasus Moment" published in International
Herald Tribune, former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
said that the concept of such proposal must be developed right and
implemented well.

"The proposal today, in this new tense environment, must be more
serious and sustained. It must marginalize no one," Oskanian said.

Recalling Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s recent visit to the
Azerbaijani capital of Baku, Oskanian said that Erdogan discussed the
Turkish plan there and publicly made reference to Armenia`s inclusion
as well.

"It is also a fortuitous coincidence that President Abdullah Gul of
Turkey has been invited by President Serzh Sargsian of Armenia to
watch the Turkey-Armenia FIFA World Cup qualifying match on September
6th together," he said.

Oskanian also said that such invitation offered an opportunity for
the two countries to discuss common security challenges and pave the
way for a region of peace.