TURKEY CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR EFFORTS TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA

Anadolu Agency
Feb 24 2009
Turkey

Ankara, 24 February: Burak Ozugergin, spokesman for Turkish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, called on the third countries to support the
process aiming at normalizing the relations between Turkey and Armenia.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Tuesday [24 February], Ozugergin
said, "We have been carrying out a series of talks with Armenia in
order to normalize our relations. We think that it is not proper to
send messages to each other through the press during this process."

"We have always objected attempts to distort a certain period in
our history. We cannot accept use of such distortions as a tool of
bargaining. We will continue telling the truth," he said.

Ozugergin called on the third countries to support the process between
Turkey and Armenia since any intervention could have a negative impact
on talks. "We wish to maintain our cooperation and consultation
mechanisms with the new administration of the United States in all
areas concerning our joint foreign policy. We got the impression that
the US administration also intends to cooperate with us," he added.