RUSSIA HAILS IMPROVEMENT IN ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS

RIA Novosti
22:0501/09/2009

MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow welcomes Armenia and
Turkey’s intention to normalize bilateral relations, the Russian
Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Turkey and Armenia reached an agreement on Monday to start "internal
political consultations" on re-establishing diplomatic relations and
opening their borders. The negotiations were mediated by Switzerland.

"We hope that an improvement in relations between the two neighbors
will revitalize bilateral trade and economic contacts and will have
a positive impact on the socio-economic situation of both states,"
the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

It added that a better relationship between Armenia and Turkey "will
help normalize the situation in the region and strengthen peace
and security."

The two countries agreed to a "roadmap" to normalize their relations
this April.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on Tuesday for an
early settlement to the long-running conflict between Armenia and
Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, a mountainous region in Azerbaijan
with a largely Armenian population.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress