ARMENIA, TURKEY MOVE CLOSER TO RESTORING DIPLOMATIC TIES

RIA Novosti
10:4601/09/2009

ANKARA, August 31 (RIA Novosti) – Turkey and Armenia agreed at
talks mediated by Switzerland on Monday to start "internal political
consultations" on re-establishing diplomatic relations and opening
their borders.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in a show of support
for Muslim ally Azerbaijan following a bloody conflict over Nagorny
Karabakh between the two ex-Soviet republics. Ankara has also demanded
that Yerevan drop its campaign to have the mass killings of Armenians
by Ottoman Turks in 1915 internationally recognized as genocide.

"Political consultations will be completed within six weeks, and
following that, two protocols will be signed and submitted to the two
countries’ parliaments for approval," Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said.

"Both protocols [on establishing diplomatic relations and on the
development of bilateral relations] create a base for normalizing
bilateral relations…

The normalization of bilateral relations will further guarantee peace
and stability in region," the ministry said.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said that the country is ready to establish
diplomatic relations without preconditions, and welcomes the timeframes
as reasonable.

"Both documents define reasonable timeframes for the normalization
of bilateral relations," the ministry said.

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in comments
on the accord on Tuesday that Turkey does not plan to open the border
"at the current stage."

"Turkey’s goal is to maintain friendly relations with its neighbors
and establish stability and lasting peace in the Caucasus," he told
national TV, adding that Azerbaijan’s interests must not be disregarded
in efforts to improve ties with Armenia.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said after the talks on Monday that the
border would be opened within two months after the two countries have
signed the protocols.

Turkey and Armenia have held talks mediated by Switzerland for
two years.

They agreed to a "roadmap" to normalize their relations under Swiss
mediation this April.

The U.S. State Department welcomed Monday’s talks.

"We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously," State
Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement. "We remain ready
to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a
historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability
throughout the region."

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan is expected to visit Turkey on
October 14, where he will attend a World Cup qualifying football
match between the two countries.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul watched the first leg of the match in
Yerevan last year. Sargsyan said earlier he would go if the border
has reopened or Turkey has lifted its economic blockade of landlocked
Armenia.