Anadolu Agency, Turkey
June 4 2009
Turkish minister says "normalization process" with Armenia goes on
Washington, DC, 4 June: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said
on Thursday [4 June] that he would pay a four-day visit to Pakistan
and Afghanistan next week.
Davutoglu, currently on a formal visit to the United States, told
reporters that "I will pay the visits being the foreign minister of a
country which is the closest friends of Afghanistan and Pakistan and
rotating president of the UN Security Council. International Community
feels uneasy over the developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Davutoglu said his visit would aim at observing what could be done in
the region in political sense and to ensure a closer cooperation among
friendly groups.
Armenia-Turkey-Azerbaijan
Commenting on Turkey’s relations with Armenia, Davutoglu said,
"Normalization process continues since 22 April joint statement and
there are ongoing direct or indirect contacts. There is no
interruption in course of the talks. We are doing our best for
solution of problems."
Davutoglu said Turkish-Armenian relations had an important role in
Turkish-US relations due to the developments in US Congress, "Turkey’s
policy is very open. US executives appreciate this policy. Turkey
favours tranquillity, peace and welfare to prevail in south
Caucasus. Turkey is eager to normalize relations with Armenia within
the scope of good relations with our neighbours. However, a similar
normalization is necessary in conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
for a lasting and comprehensive normalization."
Davutoglu said foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan would meet
on Thursday and later come together in Italy in June during G8
meetings. "Turkey is in close consultation with the United States,
Russia, France, as well as members of the UN Security Council and
cochairman of Minsk Group to establish a basis for a permanent
normalization process."
Responding to a question on probability of opening of Turkish-Armenian
border within a year, Davutoglu said this depended on the
developments. "It may be misleading to set a time or give details when
the process is under way," he added.