KARABAKH AND ARMENIA-TURKEY RAPPROCHEMENT NOT CONNECTED, SAYS SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER

Tert
Nov 19 2009
Armenia

There is no formal relation between resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and Turkey-Armenia rapprochement, Swiss Foreign Minister
Micheline Calmy-Rey told Azerbaijani news agency Trend News today.

Calmy-Rey was commenting on the non-ratification of the
Turkish-Armenian protocols.

Calmy-Rey also said the two countries should ratify the Turkish and
Armenian protocols in the rapprochement process.

"We hope both Turkey and Armenia will ratify the protocols soon," the
minister said, noting that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution
and Turkey-Armenia rapprochement have no formal relation.

According to official, the processes are connected, yet independent
at the same time.

"The OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The
other process deals with the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations
with Swiss mediation," she said.

The minister expressed hope in the prompt ratification of the
protocols.

"We hope the ratification process will be held soon. The processes
are not connected. Of course, progress on one issue will positively
impact the second affair," the minister added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress