ARMENIAN AND TURKISH FMs AGREE TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TOWARDS REGULATION OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
Nov 25, 2008

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, as foreign minister of BSEC chairing country, paid a
one-day working visit to Istanbul November 24.

Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that the
minister visited BSEC Secretariat where he met with the Secretary
General of the organization Leonidas Khrizantopulos. During the
meeting they referred to the issues on improvement of the activity
of BSEC and promotion of cooperation among the member countries.

Referring to the priorities of Armenia’s chairmanship, Edward
Nalbandian noted that the 60 events planned for the coming six
months are aimed at increasing the authority of the organization,
and deepening partnership among the member countries.

Afterwards, the session of the BSEC International Secretariat,
representatives of BSEC member and observing countries and affiliated
bodies took place during which Armenian foreign minister delivered
a speech.

Speaking of priorities of Armenia’s chairmanship, Edward Nalbandian
pointed out the necessity of development of transport infrastructures
in the region. One of the priorities of BSEC during Armenia’s
chairmanship will be cooperation in energy, nature protection,
agricultural spheres.

Foreign minister said that Armenia also underscores deepening of
BSEC-UN and BSEC-EU partnership.

The session was followed by a press conference of Edward
Nalbandian. Speaking about normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations, Armenian foreign minister noted that the full regulation
of the relations stems from the interests of the two peoples and the
dialogue between Armenia and Turkey is directed towards that aim –
establishing diplomatic relations and opening of the border and it
must not be viewed as a gift by Turkey to Armenia as Turkey is not
less interested in it.

Afterwards Edward Nalbandian left for Istanbul S. Virgin Mary Mother
Church and Armenian Patriarchate where he met with Archbishop Mesrop
Moutafian. The minister also conducted meeting with the representatives
of the Armenian community.

On the same day the meeting of Armenian and Turkish foreign
ministers took place. Ali Babacan gave a dinner in the honor of
E. Nalbandian. The meeting lasted for about 2.5 hours during which
they discussed a number of issues on bilateral relations, exchanged
thoughts over the Caucasian Security and Cooperation Platform.

In a briefing followed after the meeting the ministers assessed their
meeting as useful and constructive. They agreed to continue efforts
directed towards regulation of bilateral relations.

On the same day E. Nalbandian returned back Yerevan.