Turkish FM calls U.S. Secretary of State ahead of Yerevan visitDecember 11, 2013 - 16:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and U.S. Secretary of John Kerry discussed on phone the situation in the South Caucasus as well as the Turkish Minister’s forthcoming visit to Yerevan for participation in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit on Thursday, Dec 12. “The agenda [of the visit] has not been determined yet, however I don’t rule out a possibility of bilateral meetings,” Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara, according to Haberler. Davutoglu was quoted as saying that Ankara always “paid attention to normalization of relations with Armenia. “Turkey always repeated that normalization of relations between Ankara and Yerevan will bring peace to the South Caucasus only in case the Armenian-Azerbaijani ties are mended and regional conflicts are settled,” he said, adding that Ankara “is open for any initiative aimed at establishment of lasting peace in the region.” Related links: The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. The Armenian-Turkish Protocols The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |