Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, Russia
Oct 11 2009
Russian foreign minister comments on Armenia, Turkey signing protocols
We have just witnessed a remarkable event, Armenia and Turkey signed
the protocol on establishing diplomatic relations and the protocol on
the development of bilateral relations, which determines further
actions of the sides to promote the comprehensive returning of
interstate ties back to normal.
I will not conceal it – we are sincerely happy. Armenia and Turkey are
friendly countries to Russia.
The content of the signed documents is the evidence of strong
determination of both countries to cover their part of the road.
Significantly, none of the envisaged steps can be interpreted as
harmful to a third party.
Improving relations between the two neighbouring states will lead to
the revival of trade and economic ties, will have a positive impact on
the social and economic situation both in Armenia and in Turkey.
The Russian Federation is ready to support this process through
further implementation of cooperation projects with Armenia and
Turkey, first of all in the power engineering and transport sectors.
The Russian company Inter UES is taking part in supplying electricity
from Armenia to Turkey. The Russian Railways is ready to help
establish and maintain uninterrupted railway communication between the
two countries through the border crossing Dogukapy-Akhuryan. There are
also other projects with good prospects which will have a favourable
impact on people’s everyday life.
We welcome the pragmatic and businesslike joint work of Armenian and
Turkish partners to settle difficult issues. Today’s agreements are
the result of the purposeful efforts of the Armenian and Turkish
leaders aimed at rapprochement of the two countries. The credit is due
to foreign ministers Eduard Nalbandyan and Akhmet Davutoglu. We feel a
strong mood to work toward establishing good-neighbourly relations
between Armenia and Turkey, which should promote further steps for
strengthening peace and security in the region.
I would like to stress that the signing of the protocols is the first
step on the road of bringing the relations back to normal. The sides
should ratify the documents and begin their practical implementation
as soon as possible.