SARGSYAN-GUL MEETING GAVE HOPE THAT A LONG-OVERDUE THAW HAS BEGUN, BRYZA SAYS

PanARMENIAN.Net
11.09.2008 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ This past weekend, the leaders of Turkey and Armenia
took an important step toward reducing the long-standing tensions
that have kept their border closed for the past 15 years, Matthew
J. Bryza, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and
Eurasian Affairs, said in his address to the Department of State.

"We applaud the initiative of Armenian President Sargsyan to
invite his Turkish counterpart to Yerevan, and Turkish President
Gul’s willingness to accept the invitation. Their meeting has not
resolved their countries’ bilateral problems, but it has created a new
atmosphere in the relationship, and given hope that a long-overdue thaw
has begun. The normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia
would not only ease Armenia’s isolation, but would help open up trade
and transportation routes for the entire South Caucasus," he said.

"Closely connected to the question of Turkish-Armenian rapprochement
is resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The consequences of
this unresolved conflict have weighed like a millstone around the
neck of the entire South Caucasus. Its costs can still be counted
in terms of refugees and internally displaced persons- nearly a
million altogether – provinces denuded of population, lost economic
opportunities, and disrupted trade. It is hard to identify any
real winner in this situation, and the shock of Russia’s assault on
Georgia might have the unintended effect of encouraging the parties
to show greater flexibility and creativity in their negotiations. The
U.S. Government will do all it can to encourage such flexibility. We
will do everything possible to promote a just and lasting settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that proceeds from the principle of
our support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and ultimately
incorporates other elements of international law and diplomatic
practice," Bryza said.