FM BABACAN: "MAIN AIM IS TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA"

Journal of Turkish Weekly
March 3 2009
Turkey

FM Babacan said that Turkey and Armenia had taken important steps to
solve problems and start a constructive relation. Answering a question
Babacan said that "Main aim is to normalize relations with Armenia, in
this framework negotiations go on in many levels. Moreover, a process
goes on between Armenia and Azerbaijan, n which parties negotiate
Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the situation of Internally Displaced People,
seven regions, and link between Karabagh and Armenia."

Regarding 24 April and the US stance, Babacan said that there was a
risk that could harm the process going on for a long lasting solution
between Armenia and Turkey, even this was presidential speech or
congress decision.

Pointing this PM Minister Erdogan stated that a negative development
would harm the US – Turkey relations in his election campaign speech
this week in Van.

Emphasizing that there is a delicate situation in Caucasus, Babacan
stated that "Armenia and Turkey have a historical chance and any
third party intervention does not contribute, but can cause serious
problems."

USAK Eurasian expert Hasan Selim Ozertem said that "Turkey has started
a zero problem approach in its foreign policy understanding since the
beginning of 2000. Since then it has solved many problems and Greece,
Syria, Georgia, Bulgaria, Iran and other neighboring countries have
become important partners for Turkey in this process. However, due
to structural problems with Armenia, the situation could not get
better. After Georgia-Russia war, the status quo in Caucasus has
changed and Turkey wants to follow a peace-building process rather
than increasing tensions aftermath of this crisis. Shuttle diplomacy
and building up links with the region are the main pillars of this
approach. Now, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia can talk for a positive
solution with each other, which seem impossible to imagine a couple
years ago. These efforts should be supported to end almost two decades
length conflict in the region."

Cenk Gence (JTW) Tuesday, 3 March 2009 Journal of Turkish Weekly