TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER – "BORDER COULD BE OPENED BY NEW YEAR’S"

20 09/09/01 | 15:32

Politics

In an interview with Turkey’s NTV television today, Turkish Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that, "If everything goes as planned,
if mutual steps are taken the borders could be opened around New Year."

"It is a long process," Davutoglu stated. "But every long process has
a beginning. We have lived through some bitter experiences but we have
to also remember the beautiful episodes of our joint history," he said.

Regarding Azerbaijan’s insistence that a normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations be linked to a settlement of the Karabakh
issue, Davutoglu said Turkey would safeguard Azerbaijan’s interests
throughout the reconciliation process.

"If all parties show goodwill, the Nagorno-Karabakh issue can be
resolved, we believe this can be achieved," he said.

Davutoglu said the rapprochement with Yerevan is part of Turkey’s
wider policy of "zero problems" with neighbors. Turkey has gradually
improved ties with longtime foes and neighbors including Greece,
Syria and Bulgaria.

Turkish-Armenian ties began to improve after a so-called soccer
diplomacy campaign last year, when Turkish President Abdullah Gul
attended a World Cup qualifier in Armenia.

Armenian President Sargsyan in the past has said he wants progress
on the reopening of the border before he agrees to attend an Oct. 14
match in Turkey – about six weeks away.

Davutoglu said Gul had traveled to Yerevan without "preconditions"
and urged Sargsyan to do the same