SERZH SARGSYAN: KARABAKH SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE THROUGH PEACE TALKS
armradio.am
21.07.2008 16:55
"Abdullah Gul’s visit to Yerevan will allow consolidating the positive
trends in the normalization of relations apparent in the public moods
of the two countries," Armenian Presidnet Serzh Sargsyan told a press
conference dedicated to the 100th day of his presidency.
"I’m confident that Presidnet Gul’s visit to Yerevan will allow
turning the existing trends into a stable movement targeted at the
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations," the President stressed.
RA President disagreed with the opinion of some Turkish political
circles that the normalization of relations will benefit only
Armenia. "The normalization of relations will be mutually beneficial,
and I hope that when taking a decision on visiting Yerevan Abdullah Gul
will be guided by reason." Presidnet Sargsyan noted that normalization
of relations with Turkey will be a "great success" for Armenia.
Commenting on the statements that some political forces in Armenia
may organize acts of protest in case Turkey’s Presidnet arrives in
Yerevan, Serzh Sargsyan said such forces exist in both countries. "Does
it mean that we must not undertake anything for solving the existing
problems? I think both sides should make efforts to solve the issue,"
the Presidnet stated, expressing hope that the number of supporters
of normalization of relations prevails in both countries.
The Armenian President declared that Armenian and Turkish diplomats
held a meeting in Geneva earlier in July and said he does not see
anything "sensational" in it. Serzh Sargsyan noted that diplomats of
the two countries had had meetings in the past.
Serzh Sargsyan declared about his willingness to continue the
negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement on the basis of
Madrid Principles.
"I’m confident that we can reach the solution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict through peace talks. Having met with Azerbaijan’s
President Ilham Aliyev once, I got an impression that the means
for peaceful settlement of the issue have not been exhausted yet. I
have the impression that President Aliyev is ready to continue the
negotiations," RA President Serzh Sargsyan said.
Commenting on the periodic criticism of the Minsk Group activity by
the Azerbaijani side, Serzh Sargsyan called those actions a "minor
guile." In his words, the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
is able to register progress sin the process.