STATEMENT BY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE OVER ARMENIA-TURKEY NORMALIZATION

Panorama.am
16:48 12/10/2009

Following the agreement between Armenia and Turkey, Thorbjørn Jagland,
Secretary General of the Council of Europe, made the following
statement :

"I congratulate the Governments of Armenia and Turkey on the agreement
to restore diplomatic relations and re-open the frontier between the
two countries. This is a historic step, which should bring about a
lasting reconciliation between the two countries and reinforce the
stability of the South Caucasus region as a whole. I would like to
pay tribute to the Swiss government – as well as the European Union,
Russia, France and the United States – for their crucial role in
negotiations that led to this event. No-one doubts that the full
implementation of the yesterday’s agreements will require time and
sustained commitment from both parties. The Council of Europe is
ready to help in this process, within its fields of expertise, and
in full co-operation with the governments of Armenia and Turkey."