RUSSIA CALLS ON TURKEY AND ARMENIA TO CEMENT TIES

Turkish Press
Jan 15 2010

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is holding contacts in the
Armenian capital Yerevan. He was received by his Armenian counterpart
Edward Nalbandyan on Thursday, January 14.

Lavrov said that Russia is interested in normalizing relationship
between Turkey and Russia, adding that the sooner that happens, the
better for the whole region.

Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandyan stated that they hope Ankara
would ratify the protocols that stipulate reopening of the border.

Turkey and Armenia agreed to establish diplomatic ties and reopen
their land border closed by Ankara in 1993 by signing protocols in
October 2008. The protocols need parliamentary ratification, and
Turkey links the step to constructive steps by Armenia on the Upper
Karabakh issue, a conflict with Turkish ally Azerbaijan.

Armenian Constitutional Court had opened the way for ratification by
the Parliament by deciding that the protocols comply with the
Constitution.

However, Armenia opposes Turkey’s conditioning the improvement of
relations to a progress in the Upper Karabakh issue.