Meeting of Armenian and Turkish presidents will serve as a guideline
for foreign ministers

2008-09-06 20:21:00

ArmInfo. Today President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with President
of Turkey Abdullah Gul.

The press service of the President of Armenia reports that the foreign
ministers of the two states were present at the meeting. Sargsyan
thanked Gul for accepting his invitation and pointed out that
establishing contacts was the best way for Armenia and Turkey to
normalize their relations.

Gul invited Sargsyan to attend the Turkey-Armenia match in Istanbul.

Sargsyan and Gul discussed ways to normalize Armenian-Turkish
relations. They expressed commitment to solve the existing problems and
to establish an atmosphere of confidence and peace in the region. Gul
said that Sargsyan took the first step and he accepted his invitation
thereby turning that step into a joint initiative and, probably, an
example for the whole region.

Sargsyan said that once establishing a dialogue Armenia and Turkey
would be able to discuss any problems. "We must seek to solve our
urgent problems so as not to hand down this burden to the coming
generation," Sargsyan said. Sargsyan and Gul discussed Turkey’s
initiative to form a Caucasian platform of stability and security.
Sargsyan pointed out that Armenia had always advocated dialogue and
mutual confidence in the region. He noted that Turkey’s initiative was
a step aimed at creating a favorable atmosphere in the region. The
presidents pointed out that their meeting was a serious signal for
further dialogue and a guideline for the foreign ministers of the two
states.

After the meeting the presidents continued their talks during an
official supper.