Interfax, Russia
March 12 2009
Armenian-Turkish talks could contribute to regional security –
Armenian Foreign Ministry
YEREVAN March 12
Armenian-Turkish talks are aimed not only at stabilizing bilateral
relations but could also make an important contribution to regional
security and stability, according to Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandian.
"The Armenian-Turkish talks are based on the interests of the two
countries and nations and are aimed not only at stabilizing the
relations but also at making an important contribution to regional
security and stability," Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian
was quoted as saying at the French International Diplomatic Academy on
Wednesday by the Armenian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan "have been
constructive and very promising," Nalbandian said.
There are still no diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.
The 1915 events in the Ottoman Empire remain the stumbling block in
the relations between the two countries. The Armenian genocide in
Ottoman Turkey in 1915, which, according to various sources, claimed
over 1.5 million lives has been recognized by a number of
countries. Armenia’s efforts to get the same recognition from Turkey
have so far failed.
For its part, Ankara demands that the Karabakh conflict be resolved to
reflect Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
In 2008, the Turkish president visited Yerevan at the Armenian
president’s invitation for the first time in history. The Armenian
president is due to pay a return visit to Turkey in October 2009.