MEDVEDEV OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS, KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ITAR-TASS
May 12 2010
Russia

ANKARA, May 12 (Itar-Tass) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said
on Wednesday he hoped Turkey and Armenia will be able to "restore
full-fledged relations."

"We are closely watching the development of relations [between Ankara
and Yerevan] and hope the positive momentum gained after the signing
of relevant documents in Zurich will go on," Medvedev told a news
conference after his talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

Although, Medvedev noted, "the process of mending relations between
the two countries are not easy and find different response in Turkey
and Armenia."

"Encouraging steps have recently been taken to settle the Nagorny
Karabakh problem," Medvedev noted. "The sides are holding meetings,
are speaking with each other, certain progress has been reached on a
number of issues, but it does not mean all issues have been agreed. I
personally offered the two presidents my intermediary services. I
hope it will go on. Naturally, other members of the [OSCE] Minsk group
should make their contributions, but all the issues should be discussed
by the conflicting sides, i.e. Armenia and Azerbaijan, first."

The Russian president refused to comment on "certain disputable
aspects" of the Karabakh settlement, saying "the subject requires
more scrupulousness."