TURKISH FM VIEWS ARMENIA PROTOCOLS, TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN

Anatolia Agency
April 26 2010
turkey

Ankara, 26 April: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said
Monday Turkey had the right to take the necessary precautions if the
protocols signed with Armenia were interpreted against the spirit of
the protocols.

Ahmet Davutoglu told a parliamentary session that the protocols would
be ratified by the respective parliaments when political conditions
get formed.

By pursuing an active foreign policy in regions of neighbouring
countries, we want to facilitate the establishment of permanent peace.

We are at a stage where we are about to establish strategic cooperation
councils with all of our neighbours, Davutoglu said.

Within this framework, we signed agreements with Iraq and Syria last
year. A similar mechanism will be established with Greece and Russia
next month. We are planning to establish a similar mechanism with
Bulgaria and Ukraine, Davutoglu said.

When you consider Turkey’s close relations with Azerbaijan and Georgia,
you notice that the only missing ring is Armenia. We want to develop
good relations with Armenia based on the respect of borders and
deepened by diplomatic ties. This is actually a foreign policy based on
the principle of ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the World’, Davutoglu said.

Touching on an Armenian resolution in the United States, Davutoglu
said that the Turkish government took all the necessary precautions
on this matter.

Our goal is not to let third countries interfere in Turkey’s relations
with Armenia, Davutoglu said.

During this process, Turkey conducts relations with Azerbaijani
officials in full coordination. Turkey regards the Azerbaijani
territory under (Armenian) occupation as her own issue. There is full
coordination with Azerbaijan in this matter. No development can be
a blow to the friendship between Turkey and Azerbaijan, Davutoglu said.

Our goal is to normalize Turkey-Armenia relations and resolve the
dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Davutoglu said.

Wherever they may meet, Turks and Armenians, from now on, will not
only share pains but also common history and they will be together.

This is our perspective of peace, Davutoglu said.

Despite such efforts of Turkey, we have to strongly condemn the
acts of certain Armenian groups against our flag and symbols of the
Turkish state. We have always condemned such acts. Yet we know that
such provocateurs can not be an obstacle to the implementation of
our great vision. We will continue to struggle against such groups
everywhere and at every platform. We will give the necessary response
to all those offending the honour and history of the Turks. Turkey
is determined to be the engine of the whole region and will become
the engine, Davutoglu also said.