Turkish MFA: process of normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations moves ahead

PanARMENIAN.Net - In order to become a genuine honest broker in the region, Turkey has taken the initiative to create a favorable environment for the normalization of its bilateral relations with Armenia. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in "Calming the Caucasus" piece of opinion published in The International Herald Tribune.



"President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on Sept. 6 to watch the World Cup qualifier match between the Turkish and Armenian soccer teams. This was an historic first step to break the barriers that have prevented our two nations from getting closer to each other.



During the visit to Yerevan, the Armenian and Turkish presidents extensively discussed the security situation in the Caucasus, the prospects for the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations and the ways and means to achieve such normalization in the nearest future.



I also accompanied Gul and had an opportunity to review the same topics in a more expanded fashion with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. No doubt, as long as we talk, none of the problems of the region could impose themselves on us as unsolvable.



Third, as the process of normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations moves ahead, we must not spare our efforts to find a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. These two processes have a mutually reinforcing character - any positive development on one would significantly have a stimulating effect on the other.



Gul, after his visit to Yerevan, traveled to Baku on Sept. 10 to inquire whether Turkey could facilitate the resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh problem. We observe the commitment in Baku, as well as in Yerevan, to bring a lasting solution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In this context, it is necessary once more to underline the importance of a constructive and comprehensive approach to resolving the problems in the Caucasus region.



Turkey is a staunch advocate of the basic principles of international law such as independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states as well as peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue.



With the initiatives that it has taken recently, Turkey seeks to bring stability and prosperity to the Caucasus region. CSCP can play a leading role in facilitating this outcome. A favorable environment for cooperation, harmony, confidence and mutual understanding will be achievable in the region only after the disputes and conflicts in the Caucasus are resolved peacefully and irrevocably," Babacan said.