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Putin, Turkish premier discuss Karabakh settlement, relations with Armenia
ITAR-TASS news agency
11 Jan 05
Moscow, 11 January: Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is ready to
serve as a mediator and guarantor of the settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem.
"Russia will do everything to settle the conflicts that have remained
after the USSR. We will do this as a mediator and guarantor, being
aware that agreements should be reached between the conflicting
parties, i.e. between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Putin said, answering a
Turkish journalist's question at a meeting with the Turkish business
community today.
Putin said that the settlement of the Karabakh problem "was not
directly addressed" during his talks with the Turkish prime
minister. However, they "touched upon relations between countries in
general terms, including between Russia and Armenia as well as Armenia
and Turkey", Putin said. He pointed out that he believes, as does the
prime minister, that "neighbouring countries should aspire to
establish friendly relations". "We are aware of the difficult
historical legacy in relations between Armenia and Turkey," Putin
said, adding that "Armenia is searching for ways to improve relations"
with Turkey. "Russia will assist in this process to the extent
possible," Putin said.
[Turkish Prime Minister Recep] Erdogan pointed out that "Turkish
policy towards Armenia is based on a settlement and not on the lack of
it". Among the latest steps taken in the direction of improving
relations he mentioned the opening of Istanbul airport for flights to
Armenia. So far the land border is not open, because according to
Erdogan, "Ankara's proposal was not reciprocated".
"Efforts aimed at improving relations with Armenia have to
intensify. It would be good not to have upset neighbours", Erdogan
said.
ITAR-TASS news agency
11 Jan 05
Moscow, 11 January: Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is ready to
serve as a mediator and guarantor of the settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh problem.
"Russia will do everything to settle the conflicts that have remained
after the USSR. We will do this as a mediator and guarantor, being
aware that agreements should be reached between the conflicting
parties, i.e. between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Putin said, answering a
Turkish journalist's question at a meeting with the Turkish business
community today.
Putin said that the settlement of the Karabakh problem "was not
directly addressed" during his talks with the Turkish prime
minister. However, they "touched upon relations between countries in
general terms, including between Russia and Armenia as well as Armenia
and Turkey", Putin said. He pointed out that he believes, as does the
prime minister, that "neighbouring countries should aspire to
establish friendly relations". "We are aware of the difficult
historical legacy in relations between Armenia and Turkey," Putin
said, adding that "Armenia is searching for ways to improve relations"
with Turkey. "Russia will assist in this process to the extent
possible," Putin said.
[Turkish Prime Minister Recep] Erdogan pointed out that "Turkish
policy towards Armenia is based on a settlement and not on the lack of
it". Among the latest steps taken in the direction of improving
relations he mentioned the opening of Istanbul airport for flights to
Armenia. So far the land border is not open, because according to
Erdogan, "Ankara's proposal was not reciprocated".
"Efforts aimed at improving relations with Armenia have to
intensify. It would be good not to have upset neighbours", Erdogan
said.