AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
October 30, 2008 Thursday

YEREVAN RULES OUT ANKARAS MEDIATION IN GARABAGH TALKS

Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian has said that Turkey might
interfere with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict by exerting influence on Azerbaijan, but the country is not
considered a mediator in peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Nalbandian told a news conference on Thursday that Yerevan continued
efforts to better relations with Turkey. Improving Turkey-Armenia
relations is important not only for Armenia but also for the entire
region. Armenia has never turned down dialogue with Turkey and is
ready to settle any problems. Yerevan is in talks with Turkey without
leveling conditions, he said. The diplomat said the international
community was also interested in bettering relations between Armenia
and Turkey. Yerevan does not hold talks with Turkey for the sake of
appearance. This does not even suit us.*