TURKISH MFA: PROCESS OF NORMALIZING TURKISH-ARMENIAN RELATIONS MOVES AHEAD

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.09.2008 16:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In order to become a genuine honest broker in
the region, Turkey has taken the initiative to create a favorable
environment for the normalization of its bilateral relations with
Armenia. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in "Calming the
Caucasus" piece of opinion published in The International Herald
Tribune.

"President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6 to watch the
World Cup qualifier match between the Turkish and Armenian soccer
teams. This was an historic first step to break the barriers that
have prevented our two nations from getting closer to each other.

During the visit to Yerevan, the Armenian and Turkish presidents
extensively discussed the security situation in the Caucasus, the
prospects for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations and
the ways and means to achieve such normalization in the nearest future.

I also accompanied Gul and had an opportunity to review the same
topics in a more expanded fashion with Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian. No doubt, as long as we talk, none of the problems
of the region could impose themselves on us as unsolvable.

Third, as the process of normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations
moves ahead, we must not spare our efforts to find a resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. These two processes have a mutually
reinforcing character – any positive development on one would
significantly have a stimulating effect on the other.

Gul, after his visit to Yerevan, traveled to Baku on Sept. 10
to inquire whether Turkey could facilitate the resolution of
Nagorno-Karabakh problem. We observe the commitment in Baku, as well
as in Yerevan, to bring a lasting solution to the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this context, it is necessary once more to
underline the importance of a constructive and comprehensive approach
to resolving the problems in the Caucasus region.

Turkey is a staunch advocate of the basic principles of international
law such as independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
states as well as peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue.

With the initiatives that it has taken recently, Turkey seeks to
bring stability and prosperity to the Caucasus region. CSCP can play
a leading role in facilitating this outcome. A favorable environment
for cooperation, harmony, confidence and mutual understanding will
be achievable in the region only after the disputes and conflicts in
the Caucasus are resolved peacefully and irrevocably," Babacan said.