TURKISH MEDIA: POSSIBLE MEETING BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA NEXT MONTH IN SWITZERLAND IS SEEN AS VITAL

ArmInfo
2009-04-24 13:19:00

ArmInfo.’As stated many times by top Turkish officials, the
normalization of relations and reopening of the border with Armenia are
expected to happen as soon as a breakthrough on the Nagorno-Karabakh
front is made’, Hurriyet reported.

‘As such, a meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia next month in
Switzerland is seen as vital. Ilham Aliyev, the president of Azerbaijan
and his Armenian counterpart, Serge Sarkisian will come together in
Switzerland on May 7 to continue efforts to settle the dispute.

According to sources familiar with the talks, the parties are very
close to a solution and if they can clear the few remaining obstacles
in the way of Armenian troop withdrawal from the region then it is very
possible there will be a settlement by June’, the newspaper reported.

This will also free the hands of Turkey to proceed with the road
map and enable them to announce the establishment of diplomatic
ties this year. As Sarkisian put it earlier, it may be possible for
both countries to proceed before Oct. 7, the day the Turkish and
Armenian national football teams will play their second 2010 World
Cup qualifier, the source reported.