ARMENIAN LEADERS, TURKISH ENVOY DISCUSS SECURITY IN CAUCASUS

Interfax
Sept 3 2008
Russia

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Turkish presidential envoy,
ambassador Unal Cevikez discussed in Yerevan on Wednesday the issues
concerning Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s upcoming visit to Yerevan,
the Armenian president’s press office told Interfax.

The Armenian president invited his Turkish counterpart to watch a
football match between the Armenian and Turkish national teams in
Yerevan on September 6.

Cevikez’ visit is a chance for both parties to talk about how to
improve their relations, to exchange their views on the situation in
the region and to discuss a number of important issues, Sargsyan said.

The parties have discussed Ankara’s initiative to create the Platform
of Stability and Security in the Caucasus, according to a press
statement. Having mentioned that the Turkish prime minister initiated
a very complex, but important task, Sargsyan said that, "Armenia has
always welcomed the efforts aimed at strengthening trust, stability,
security and enhancing cooperation in the region."

For his part, Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandian said at
a meeting with Cevikez that Armenia has always welcomed the efforts
to strengthen trust, stability and security in the region. "The idea
of creating the Platform can be hailed," said the Armenian foreign
minister.

There are still no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

The 1915 events in the Ottoman Empire remain a stumbling block in the
relations between the two countries. The 1915 Armenian genocide in the
Ottoman Turkey, which, according to various sources, killed more than
1.5 million people, was recognized by a number of nations. Armenia is
seeking recognition from Turkey, but has so far failed in its efforts.

Ankara, for its part, demands that the Karabakh conflict be resolved
on the basis of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.