PRESS RELEASE OF MINISTRIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND SWISS FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

States News Service
August 31, 2009 Monday

The following information was released by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Turkey:

The Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia have agreed to
start their internal political consultations on the two protocols –
the "Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations" and the
"Protocol on the development of bilateral relations" – which have
been initialled in the course of their efforts under Swiss mediation.

The two Protocols provide for a framework for the normalization of
the bilateral relations within a reasonable timeframe. The political
consultations will be completed within six weeks, following which
the two Protocols will be signed and submitted to the respective
Parliaments for the ratification on each side. Both sides will make
their best efforts for the timely progression of the ratification in
line with their constitutional and legal procedures.

The normalization of the bilateral relations will contribute to
regional peace and stability. The Republic of Turkey and the Republic
of Armenia are committed to pursuing their joint efforts with the
assistance of Switzerland.