NTV MSNBC, Turkey
Jan 26 2007
Nothing new in Armenian comments: Turkish Foreign Ministry
The Foreign Ministry said that it was to be hoped that the tragic
killing of Hrant Dink would contribute to creating a new atmosphere
in Turkish-Armenian relations.
Güncelleme: 15:48 TSİ 26 Ocak 2007 CumaANKARA – There is nothing
new to be found in comments by Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister
saying that his country is ready to establish relations with Turkey
without any preconditions, a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign
Ministry late Thursday said.
The Armenian government had made similar comments on several
occasions in the past, the statement said.
Armenian Deputy FM Arman Kirakosian, made while he was in Istanbul to
attend the funeral of murdered Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant
Dink, were not a sign of a new step, the statement said.
Turkey wants to improve its relations with all its neighbours within
the framework of mutual confidence and respect, said that Foreign
Ministry.
However, enhancing bilateral and regional relations and co-operation
cannot only be achieved by the steps to be taken by Turkey but can be
possible with the will and steps of the other parties, the statement
said.
Turkey had taken a number of concrete steps in the past to further
improve dialogue with Armenia, including Ankara’s proposal to set up
a joint history commission to look into allegations that the Ottoman
Empire had committed an act of genocide against its Armenian citizens
during the First World War.
The statement also said that it was to be hoped that the slaying of
Dink would `contribute to the creation of a new atmosphere in
Turkish-Armenian relations, and Armenia will respond to our
good-willed efforts to overcome the stagnation in our relations with
Armenia’.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
