TURKISH MINISTER HOPES FOR NO IRRATIONAL US STEPS ON 1915 ARMENIAN "INCIDENTS"
Anadolu Agency
March 19 2009
Turkey
Ankara, 19 March: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said his
government hopes the United States will not take a step that is not
rational regarding the incidents of 1915.
Speaking on Turkey’s foreign policies on Channel 7, Babacan stressed
that "we hope the USA does not take a wrong step pertaining the
incidents of 1915".
Asked about Turkey’s relations with Armenia and 24 April, Babacan
said that the "Democrats are in majority in the US administration. The
Armenian lobby has significant influence on the US Congress".
"Compared to previous years, we are in a different process. The
new process involves negotiations between Turkey and Armenia,"
Babacan said.
"Every issue gets discussed and elaborated in the negotiations
with Armenia. The goal is to normalize relations between Turkey and
Armenia," Babacan said.
"The normalization of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Turkish relations will
generate a new geopolitical situation in south Caucasus. A decision
made or a step taken by a third country on the incidents of 1915 will
hurt the process. We are openly talking to our American friends and
urging them not to take a wrong step," Babacan said.
In response to a question on Turkish-Israeli relations, Babacan said
that diplomatic traffic and communication with Israel has never been
suspended. "Our contacts with Israel are regarded as important,"
Babacan said.
Asked if he is hopeful for peace in the Middle East, Babacan said that
"many issues in the Middle East are related to each other. You can
achieve results only with an approach that grasps the problems as a
whole. Our dialogue with Syria and Iran is part of this process. If
you wish to have a deep rooted solution in the Middle East, you have
to work with Iran".
In regard to a question on the upcoming visit of US President Barack
Obama to Turkey, Babacan said that "Obama will not be visiting
Turkey just because it is a predominantly Muslim country. Further,
Obama will not be in Turkey only to pay a visit to a country as part
of the Alliance of Civilizations project. Obama’s visit to Turkey
will take place based on what Turkey is".
"We are working on the details of President Obama’s visit to Turkey. It
is not certain yet if Obama will deliver a speech in Turkey or whether
he will attend a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations project,"
Babacan said.