Basis for establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey laid
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian and Turkish Foreign
Ministers Edward Nalbandyan and Ahmed Davudoglu signed October 10
protocols on establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and
Turkey. The statement provided by the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s
Media and Information Department to Armenpress says that the presence
of the top foreign officials in the signing ceremony of the protocols
shows the support of the international community and the importance
given to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
`The signing of the protocols is the logical result of the
initiative of the Armenia’s president on establishing relations
between the two countries without pre-conditions which may be useful
for the Armenian and Turkish peoples if these documents are brought to
life as they are agreed, without pre-conditions and implementation of
the registered points in reasonable timeframe. The everyday intensive
negotiations gave an opportunity to find the key which must open the
lock and enable the parties an unprecedented opportunity to step
toward the future with trust,’ the statement says.
Opening the ceremony Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey
congratulated Armenia and Turkey for this important achievement,
noting that the courage of the parties and the decisions that has been
made will promote the establishment of peace and stability in the
region.
After the ceremony Armenian foreign minister, expressing gratitude
to Switzerland, USA, Russia, France and heads of European
establishments said: `Today you are standing by us, being a
participant of signing of the protocols and truly sharing the achieved
result as well as the responsibility of the further achievements.’
Minister Nalbandyan assessed the support and assistance of the
international community as very important saying that it was vital for
taking the process forward. Speaking about the process of
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relati
Edward Nalbandyan said, `Since the beginning of the process we have
been realizing that leaving this hard burden for coming generations
would have been irresponsible and unjustified.’
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, after the signing
ceremony, told the reporters, `We are truly happy for signing of the
documents, this is not only the first step but it is also necessary to
ratify them immediately.’
The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union Javier
Solana noted that the signed documents will have an important positive
impact for the region. He expressed hope that soon the protocols will
be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.
Before the signing ceremony Edward Nalbandyan met with US Secretary
of State Hilary Clinton who reiterated the unbiased US support to the
normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.