RA FM: THE CORNERSTONE OF ARMENIAN AND TURKISH RELATIONS WAS PUT

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14:10:09 – 12/10/2009

On October 10, the Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers Edward
Nalbandyan and Ahmed Davutoglu signed the protocols on establishing
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey in the main hall of
Zurich University.

The head of the Swiss foreign department Micheline Calmy- Rey, the
U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton, the Russian foreign minister
Sergey Lavrov, the French foreign minister Bernard Couchner, the
secretary general of the European Union Javier Solana, the head of
the CoE ministers’ board, Slovenian foreign minister Samuel Zgobar
also took part in the ceremony.

The presence of the foreign high-ranking officials attaches importance
to the ceremony of singing and shows the assistance and the importance
they attach to the normalization of the Armenian and Turkish protocols.

The singing of the protocols is the logic result of the initiative
of the Armenian president of the last year to establish relations
between two neighboring countries without preconditions which maybe
useful for the Armenian and Turkish people if these documents are
fulfilled as arranged.

Daily intensive dialogues enabled to find the key which will open the
door giving an unprecedented opportunity to move towards the future
with trust.

Opening the ceremony, the Swiss foreign minister Micheline Calmy-
Rey congratulated Armenia and Turkey for this important achievement
noting that the courage of the sides and their decisions will promote
the establishment of stability and security in the region.

After the ceremony, the Armenian foreign minister thanked Switzerland,
the U.S., Russia, France and heads of European institutions for their
support and said, "You are standing with us today being a participant
of the ceremony of singing and justly share the achieved result as
well as the responsibility for further achievements".

Dwelling on the process of the normalization of the Armenian and
Turkish relations, the head of the Armenian foreign department
noted, "Just from the beginning of the process we realized all the
difficulties and obstacles present on this way. However, we realize
that this burden will be irresponsible and unjust to be left for
future generations".

After singing the protocols, the Russian foreign minister Sergey
Lavrov said, "We are sincerely happy for the singing. The singing is
not only a first step, but the protocols are necessary to be ratified
immediately".

The EU secretary general Javier Solana had a briefing with the
reporters and noted that the signed protocols will have an important
positive impact on the region. He expressed hope that the protocols
will be soon ratified by both parliament and will enter in force.

Before the signing of the protocols, Edward Nalbandyan had a meeting
with the U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton who reiterated the
U.S. support to the normalization of the relations between Armenia
and Turkey.