Interfax, Russia
Dec 3 2009
YEREVAN OPPOSED TO LINKAGE OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS WITH …
The processes of settling Armenian- Turkish relations and the conflict
in Nagorno-Karabakh are unrelated, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard
Nalbandian has said.
"At the meeting with the Turkish foreign minister we discussed the
settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations and the process of ratifying
bilateral protocols. The problem of Nagorno-Karabakh was not discussed
because there was no need for it. The two processes cannot be linked
with each other," he told journalists in Athens.
"We are saying that to everyone, including the Turkish. This is not
just our opinion. The entire international community thinks so too,"
he said.
Meanwhile, Turkish media reported that at a meeting with his Azeri
colleague Elmar Mamedyarov, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
said that Armenian-Turkish protocols can be ratified only after
Armenia frees Azeri territories.
"Why did we sign the protocols then, if we are not going to ratify
them? I think that the sides realize that the protocols must be
ratified and carried out within a reasonable timeframe. Speaking of a
reasonable time I mean primarily that artificial obstacles and
difficulties should not be put up in this way," Nalbandian said.