Turkish Embassy in Baku calls "not to look for hidden motives" in contacts between Turkish and Armenian diplomats

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan has circulated a statement over the secret meetings between Armenian and Turkish officials. "Turkey recognized independence of Armenia in 1991. In this framework, contacts are possible… No hidden motives should be looked for," the statement said, the Azeri Press Agency reports.



Turkey and Armenia held a series of secret meetings in the capital of Switzerland on July 8.

A high-level official from the Foreign Ministry headed the Turkish delegation during the talks which led to a positive atmosphere between the two countries.



This meeting came after Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan's proposal for "a fresh start" with the goal of normalizing relations with Turkey and opening the border. Sargsyan also invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to watch a football match between the two country's national teams on Sept 6 to mark "a new symbolic start in the two countries' relations".



Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that Gul's attendance will depend on development of relations between the two states. "Normalization of relations with Armenia is one of priorities in Turkish foreign policy," he said.