JAVIER SOLANA ASSESSES DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND TURKEY AS VERY GOOD

ARMENPRESS
Feb 9, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 9, ARMENPRESS: EU High Commissioner on Foreign Policy
Issues Javier Solana assesses the dialogue started between Armenia and
Turkey as very good. "I will be very happy to see it deepening more,"
J. Solana said February 7 at the 45th annual international summit on
security issues in Munich in response to the question of Armenpress.

After the speech of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the
session-discussion on "Management of Instability: South Caucasian
Region and Western Balkans" and discussions over the region, summing
up his impressions J. Solana said that Armenia is a very important
country, and hopes are great if its relations with the neighboring
countries improve.

"I have an impression that the relations with Turkey are improving
and I hope that in this respect something may happen months ago. We
hope that the frozen conflict will also be regulated: it is important
not only for you, the whole region but also for us – the EU," the EU
high commissioner said.

Former foreign minister of Germany, now the deputy speaker of German
Bundestag on foreign policy issues Markos Mekel said that for Armenia
which is not in good contacts with its neighbors, the solution of
Nagorno Karabakh conflict is very important.

"For Armenia the issue is how the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict will be. This is an issue which is important for the two
parties, and by its regulation it is possible to find key for the
regulation of relations between the two countries, over Armenia’s
role and the rest issues. During the discussions I noted that there
is certain tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Not everything
is normal. That is why first of all it is necessary to ensure an
atmosphere of trust towards each other so that it will be possible to
negotiate in normal conditions. I am of the opinion that the regulation
of the issue is not so close yet and there is still much to be done,"
he said.

M. Merkel said that he has registered positive and important change in
the Armenian-Turkish relations which he said inspires great hope. "We
have noted that both President of Armenia and Turkish Foreign Minister
positively respond to the regulation of the relations between the
two countries. They have a serious approach towards the regulation of
the issue. We hope that this year Armenian-Turkish border will open,"
the German representative said.

Foreign Minister of Sweden Karl Bildt pointed out that in the speech
of the Armenian president a positive dynamics is noted in all the
regional directions.

"It is highly assessable that the positive dynamics is also notable in
the establishment of relations. We know that Armenia has difficulties
in relations with neighbors but there also exists positive dynamics to
overcome those difficulties. The positive dynamics in Armenian-Turkish
relations inspires great hope, as to relations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan the move is very small," Swedish foreign minister said.