DAVUTOGLU IN BID TO WIN PARLIAMENT SUPPORT FOR ARMENIA TALKS

Asbarez
avutoglu-in-bid-to-win-parliament-support-for-arme nia-talks/
Sep 14, 2009

ANKARA (Today’s Zaman)-Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on
Friday launched a round of talks aimed at winning the opposition’s
support for the government’s plans to normalize relations with Armenia
by opening the mutual border and restoring diplomatic ties.

Davutoglu met with Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin. Opposition
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, skeptical of the
rapprochement process with Armenia, accepted a request from Davutoglu
to meet to discuss the planned steps. The two will meet next Tuesday.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a strong critic of the plans to
restore relations with Armenia, however, rejected Davutoglu’s request
for meeting.

Foreign Ministry sources expect that Davutoglu’s consultations
with political parties will be wrapped up by end of the month. "If
everything goes as planned and if mutual steps are taken, the borders
could be opened around New Year," Davutoglu said in an interview
earlier this month.