YEREVAN HOPES FOR POSITIVE OUTCOME OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RECONCILIATION PROCESS

Interfax
Sept 3 2009
Russia

Armenia hopes for a positive outcome of the reconciliation process
with Turkey, Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandian has said.

"It is a difficult process that requires great efforts but both sides
have the willingness to settle relations and we look forward to a
positive outcome," he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Referring to the statement of his Turkish counterpart that the common
border may be opened before the end of the year he said: "Everything
is possible, nothing should be excluded."

In Nalbandian’s opinion, the settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations
should result in the restoration of peace and stability in the region.

"Armenia will be able to take part in various regional and
international programs," he said.

He confirmed that the settlement with Turkey is unrelated to the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict while the question of
the genocide of Armenians in Turkey in 1915 "is not a question of
bargaining or speculation."

"We are establishing diplomatic relations without any preliminary
conditions," he said.