TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER REPORTS PROGRESS IN MEETING WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

Anadolu Agency
Feb 8 2009
Turkey

MUNICH (A.A) -08.02.2009 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has
said, "we have initiated a process in which we discuss our problems
with Armenia on bilateral level."

Babacan, who is currently in Munich Germany, to attend the 45th Munich
Security Conference, told Turkish reporters that he held talks with
President Serzh Sargsian and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian of
Armenia and that they made progress during the talks. "Our target is
to fully normalize the relations between the two countries. I think
that the third countries’ making contributions to this process would
be beneficial," he said.

Upon a question, Babacan said that Turkey would deploy one of its
frigates as part of a United Nations-led force off the Somali coast
to prevent hijacking of ships by pirates.

Meanwhile, Babacan met with Gen. James Jones, US national security
adviser, and Richard Holbrook, US Special envoy for Afghanistan
and Pakistan.