Pope Benedict XVI is pleased by accord between Armenia and Turkey
17.01.2010 17:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Pope Benedict XVI addressed the diplomatic corps
accredited to the Holy See on Monday morning for what some call `the
state of the world address.’ Gathered in the Sala Regia of the
Apostolic Palace, the diplomats to the Vatican heard a message that
reiterated the Pontiff’s hope for a new consciousness that pursues
peace in the world through the protection of creation.

The Pontiff also referred to a number of successes in reaching
peaceful agreements in 2009 in various nations of the world, notably a
rapprochement between Columbia and Ecuador and re-established
diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey.

«I am pleased by the accord between Armenia and Turkey for the
re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and I express my hope that,
through dialogue, relations will improve among all the countries of
the Southern Caucasus», – Holy Father said, Vatican Radio reported.

The protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of
diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation. On January 12, 2010,
the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the
protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Pope Benedict XVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger on 16 April 1927) is
the 265th and reigning Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of
Rome, the head of the Catholic Church and, as such, Sovereign of the
Vatican City State. He was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal
conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and
took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on
7 May 2005. A native of Bavaria, Pope Benedict XVI has both German and
Vatican citizenship. He succeeded Pope John Paul II.