Armenians in Turkey important bridge for normalization of relationsFebruary 24, 2009 - 22:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish State Minister and Chief EU Negotiator Egemen Bagis said Tuesday that the government wants to improve relations with all neighbors including Armenia, adding that the Armenian community living in Turkey is an important bridge for this purpose.Bagis met directors, principals and heads of Parent Teacher Associations of Armenian primary and high schools in Istanbul. "We wish to improve political, economic and social relations with Armenia. Recent developments raised our hopes," Bagis told the meeting. "I am hopeful and we see the Armenian community living in Turkey as an important bridge for this purpose. Because you have got a lot to add to this friendship," Bagis said. He said hostility and hatred would go nowhere as Turkish and Armenian people lived together on this geography for centuries. He said Turkish and Armenian people would overcome obstacles together, adding, "We got over lots of difficulties together on this land. We have gone through very poor and troubled days together. Now we are experiencing maybe the most prosperous days of our history." "Mosques, churches and synagogues have made all of us peaceful in this land for centuries. Democracy is getting stronger in Turkey and you (Armenian people living in Turkey) have great contributions in it," he said, Anatolian Agency reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. 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. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. 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. |