Kaan Soyak: U.S. and Russia key players in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relationsSeptember 8, 2008 - 19:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Arrival of Turkey's President Abdullah Gul in Yerevan was an important and resolute step. The fact that he invited Mr Sargsyan to Istanbul is no less important, chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council Kaan Soyak, said in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter."We never thought that President Sargsyan will invite his Turkish counterpart to Armenia and that Mr Gul will accept the invitation. But it happened. I should mention that the internal political situation in Turkey did not affect the President's decision. Moreover, judging by publications in Armenia and Turkish press, the public in both states welcome normalization of relations and opening of the border," he said and added, "I am hopeful that Serzh Sargsyan's visit to Istanbul in 2009 will be another step toward normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations." "We are neighbors. The region should be secure and peaceful. This refers not only to South Caucasus countries but also to Syria, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon," the TABDC chairman said. U.S. and Russia are key players in normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, according to Mr Soyak. Turkey's President Abdullah Gul was in Yerevan on Sept. 6 to watch a World Cup qualifier between the Armenian and Turkish national teams. He invited his Armenian counterpart to a return match due in Istanbul in October 2009. 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 | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |