EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAILS STEPS BY ARMENIA, TURKEY TO NORMALIZE TIES

Today.Az
5191.html
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan

The European Commission on Tuesday hailed Armenia and Turkey’s efforts
to normalize ties.

On Aug. 31, Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland
reached an agreement to launch "internal political consultations"
to sign the Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and
Protocol on Development of Bilateral Relations.

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.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, also welcomed the
diplomatic progress made.

"This agreement should contribute to peace and stability in the South
Caucasus," EU commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Olli Rehn said
in a separate statement.