ABDULLAH GUL: THE YEAR 2009 IS A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS IN THE CAUCAUS

ArmInfo
2009-04-09 17:39:00

ArmInfo. "The major problem in the Caucasus is the Karabagh question
between Armenia and Azerbaijan, We wish that this problem is resolved
so that a new climate emerges in the Caucasus, because in fact although
this is a relatively small area it can become a wall between East
and West or it can become a gateway",- Turkish President Abdullah
Gul said in his interview with Financial Times.

"We are in a great effort to resolve these problems in the Caucasus
and I believe that the year 2009 is a year of opportunity in that
respect. And therefore I would like to invite everybody, beginning
with the Minsk group, to multiply their efforts to come up with a
solution",- Gul said.

Touching upon the Armenian-Turkish relations, Gul pointed out that
Armenia and Turkey have been efforts at normalisation from time to
time, but these efforts accelerated after his visit to Armenia. "This
visit was a historical visit because this was the first time a Turkish
president was in Yerevan and from that time on from telephone calls and
other communications we have come to a certain mutual understanding
on normalisation of relations. Through bilateral talks, I can say
that we have reached a good understanding towards normalisation",-
the Turkish president said.