RUSSIA SAYS BACKS TURKEY-ARMENIA NORMALIZATION

May 12 2010
Turkey

The Russian president extended on Wednesday support to normalization
of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 14:44

The Russian president extended on Wednesday support to normalization
of Turkish-Armenian relations.

Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was monitoring the
process carefully, and wished that the process that had gained momentum
with protocol signed between Turkey and Armenia would continue.

"I hope parties will reach an agreement," Medvedev told a joint press
conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara.

Medvedev said the normalization would contribute to regional stability,
improve economic relations and raise living standards.

"We support this process, we will make use of our resources, but the
concerned parties will make the (final) decision," he said.

On Karabakh dispute, Medvedev said it was a challenging issue but
not the sole issue in the Caucasus.

Medvedev said promising steps had been taken recently for settlement
of Karabakh controversy, and there had been a number of developments
but that did not mean a compromise on all matters.

The Russian president said he had recommended Russia’s mediation
to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh
Sargsian, organized negotiations in Russia and such initiatives
would continue.

Medvedev said significant progress had been made recently, however
nobody should be contented with that progress.

Russia and Turkey were also interested in the stability of the
Caucasus, Medvedev said.

Medvedev said two countries were working to solve the Karabakh dispute,
and Russia would continue the process and consultations with Turkey.