COUNCIL OF EUROPE HAILS TURKEY-ARMENIAN DEAL AS "HISTORIC EVENT"
Qatar News Agency
September 2, 2009 Wednesday 8:51 PM EST
Strasbourg, September 02 (QNA) – Top European human rights watchdog,
the Council of Europe, welcomed an agreement between Turkey and Armenia
to start internal political consultations to establish diplomatic
relations and the development of bilateral relations.
"This important decision for a common better future deserves the
support of the international community," said Samuel Zbogar, Council
chairman Slovenia’s foreign minister.
According to Turkish Anadolu Ajansi (A.A) Zbogar expressed hope
that this process would rapidly bring a successful result, "so that
Armenia and Turkey overcome the wounds of the past and establish normal
relations in their mutual interest, in the spirit of the Statute of
the Council of Europe."
Acting Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maud de
Boer-Buquicchio also hailed the Turkish-Armenian agreement as "a
historic event for both countries and the region."
"I strongly welcome the agreement to sign two protocols between Turkey
and Armenia on establishing of diplomatic relations between the two
countries. It will help to normalise the relations between two member
states of the Council of Europe and I would like to encourage the
two countries to continue on the path which will help to improve the
stability in this part of Europe," said De Boer-Buquicchio.
Turkey and Armenia agreed on Monday to establish diplomatic relations
and exchange diplomatic missions. (QNA)