Sargsyan-Gul meeting gave hope that a long-overdue thaw has begun, Bryza says

PanARMENIAN.Net - This past weekend, the leaders of Turkey and Armenia took an important step toward reducing the long-standing tensions that have kept their border closed for the past 15 years, Matthew J. Bryza, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said in his address to the Department of State.



"We applaud the initiative of Armenian President Sargsyan to invite his Turkish counterpart to Yerevan, and Turkish President Gul's willingness to accept the invitation. Their meeting has not resolved their countries' bilateral problems, but it has created a new atmosphere in the relationship, and given hope that a long-overdue thaw has begun. The normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia would not only ease Armenia's isolation, but would help open up trade and transportation routes for the entire South Caucasus," he said.



"Closely connected to the question of Turkish-Armenian rapprochement is resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The consequences of this unresolved conflict have weighed like a millstone around the neck of the entire South Caucasus. Its costs can still be counted in terms of refugees and internally displaced persons- nearly a million altogether - provinces denuded of population, lost economic opportunities, and disrupted trade. It is hard to identify any real winner in this situation, and the shock of Russia's assault on Georgia might have the unintended effect of encouraging the parties to show greater flexibility and creativity in their negotiations. The U.S. Government will do all it can to encourage such flexibility. We will do everything possible to promote a just and lasting settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that proceeds from the principle of our support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, and ultimately incorporates other elements of international law and diplomatic practice," Bryza said.