TURKEY’S PRESIDENT: WE, ALL THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION, SHOULD LOOK FORWARD

ArmInfo
2008-09-09 16:42:00

ArmInfo. Important countries of the region should take measures to
solve issues via dialogue, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in an
interview with APA when commenting of the recent military actions in
Georgia and his visit to Yerevan.

‘Our Prime Minister Erdogan visited Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
and discussed these issues. There was a random chance during the
world qualifying championship. Turkish and Armenian national teams
were at the same group. After this, Armenian president invited me to
Yerevan. It demands courage to say to Turkish President to come and
to watch the match together.

We know that there occurs dashnaks and other groups, which are against
this issue. Why did I receive this invitation? I believed in creation
of chance to conduct discussions to solve problems in the region. I
wanted to seize this occasion for the discussion of Nagorno Karabagh
conflict and problems between Turkey and Armenia. To tell the truth,
I was satisfied with the realization of this visit, because state
figures should measure thrice and cut once and take any decisive step
afterwards. If we freeze the problem, it will be worse and worse. Then
these frozen problems become de facto.

Therefore, state figures should conduct discussions hardily. We all
look like each other in this small land as Caucasus. The majori ty
speaks Turkish in the region or understands this language one should
move this potential ahead and find solution to the problems. During
my visit, I very openly talked to president Sargsyan on these
issues. I talked to him more openly about all what I am talking to
you and stressed the importance of resolution of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia’, – Gul said. He also added two issues were
discussed within the frames of his visit, one of which was Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict. ‘Sargsyan also supported solution to the problems in
the region and expressed satisfaction with our participation in this
process. They supported Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform,
assessed it as an opportunity for the solution to the problems in the
region and stressed the importance of conducting dialogue after the
developments in Georgia. Sargsyan stated that he had met with Ilham
Aliyev and would meet henceforth. I told Sargsyan that we should be
realist. Dialogue should be conducted to overcome of the problems. If
it is not conducted at present, it will be 30-40 years later and it
will cause problems to the future generations. I saw that Sargsyan
spoke sincerely. I left Yerevan with great pleasure. There can be
those, who were against this visit in Turkey and Azerbaijan and I
respect them. I am sure that these initiatives will achieve good
results and they will also be happy. 50 million people died during
World War II in Europe, but Germany and France are closer allies
at present. We should look at the future, not only past and should
open doors for the future. He also added he passed an independent
decision to visit Yerevan. ‘No country influenced on me in regard to
my decision.

However, I am pleased to receive estimation from several
countries. Armenia has understood that it is obliged to cooperate
with neighboring countries, as well as the whole world. Otherwise,
there will not be peace in the region and Armenia can be assessed as
the country standing on the way of peace. I believe in good assessment
of this chance in the image of Sargsyan. Old policy should be left
behind. We should look forward as regional countries’, – he said and
added: ‘I sent my bodyguards and vehicle to Armenia through Georgia,
not via Kars in order not to hurt feelings of Azerbaijani People’.