TURKEY, ARMENIA TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC TIES

People’s Daily Online
Sept 1 2009
China

Turkey and Armenia on Monday moved closer than ever to the
establishment of diplomatic ties through the mediation of Switzerland
after their long-standing rift.

The two countries have agreed to start their "internal political
consultations" on the establishment of diplomatic ties and development
of bilateral relations, said a joint statement issued by foreign
ministries of Turkey, Armenia and Switzerland on Monday.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic or economic ties since Armenia
declared its independence in 1991. Turkey closed its border with
Armenia in 1993 to support Azerbaijan during its conflict with Armenia
over the Upper Karabakh region.

Armenia also claims that more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed
in a systematic genocide in the hands of the Ottomans during World War
I before modern Turkey was born in 1923. But Turkey insists that the
Armenians were victims of widespread chaos and governmental breakdown
as the 600-year-old Ottoman Empire collapsed.

Monday’s statement said the consultations over two protocols on
normalizing ties, which were agreed on under Swiss mediation, would
be completed within six weeks, followed by ratification at Turkish
and Armenian parliaments.

"Both sides will make their best efforts for the timely progression
of the ratification in line with their constitutional and legal
procedures," the statement said.

The statement also said Turkey and Armenia "are committed to pursuing
their joint efforts with the assistance of Switzerland."

In July 2008, the then Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan expressed
Ankara’s willingness to normalize relations with Yerevan.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul travelled to Armenia in September
2008 to watch 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between the two
countries upon an invitation by Armenian President Serzh Sarkisyan
in a landmark visit.

Turkey and Armenia are to play another qualifier in the largest
Turkish city of Istanbul this October, but Sarkisyan has said he
would only accept an invitation to the return match if Turkey takes
"real steps" to open their border.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in May that Turkey
would open its border with Armenia if Yerevan stopped its occupation
of Upper Karabakh.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan
during its conflict with Armenia over the Upper Karabakh region.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said in June
that Turkey supports the solution of Upper Karabakh dispute through
peaceful means, adding that a positive course of the process would
contribute to the peace and stability in the Caucasus.

Azerbaijan and Armenia reached an agreement in May over "basic concepts
of peace" concerning the Upper Karabakh region, which was welcomed
by Turkey.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress