CROATIA WELCOMES MOVE BY ARMENIA, TURKEY
Today’s Zaman
Sept 9 2009
Turkey
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic has welcomed an announcement made
on Aug. 31 by Armenia and Turkey that they are launching final talks
aimed at establishing diplomatic ties.
The two countries, which currently have no diplomatic relations and a
history of animosity stemming from the killing of Anatolian Armenians
by Ottoman Turks during World War I, announced last week that they
plan to sign two protocols within six weeks under a plan to end a
century of hostility.
"Like war makes peace, each conflict should end with a treaty," Mesic
was quoted as saying by Armenian media on Monday on the occasion of
an official visit to his country by Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan.
"We are pleased with the start of negotiations and ready to declare
any decision acceptable for the friendly Armenian and Turkish peoples,"
Mesic also said.
Several international organizations including the European Union as
well as global leaders have so far delivered congratulatory messages
over the joint statement by Armenia and Turkey.
Under the agreement, both sides would hold domestic meetings before
signing two protocols on the establishment of diplomatic ties and
the development of bilateral relations. The protocols would have to
be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.