TURKISH MINISTER SAYS RECOGNISING BORDERS "BASIC ELEMENT" OF TALKS WITH ARMENIA
Anadolu Ajansi
Sept 1 2009
Turkey
Ankara, 1 September: Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday that
there was currently a six-week internal political process which started
with the two protocols initialized by Turkey and Armenia yesterday.
In an interview with NTV news channel during his visit to Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu commented on the two protocols that were recently initialized
by Turkish and Armenian authorities.
Davutoglu said that "recognizing borders" was an important element
of the protocols on "Establishment of Diplomatic Relations" and
"Development of Bilateral Relations" initialized by Turkey and Armenia
within the context of the efforts the two countries had been displaying
under the mediation of Switzerland.
"Recognizing borders in line with the international norms stemming
from Kars agreement is a basic element. Without that, we cannot talk
about being neighbours," Davutoglu said.
Commenting on the six-week internal political process that started
with the protocols, Davutoglu said an agreement would be signed by
the end of such period.
"The agreement will be signed, however, both countries have their
own methods of domestic law. It should be presented to our parliament
for approval," he said.