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Sargsyan-Gul Meeting Gave Hope That A Long-Overdue Thaw Has Begun, B

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  • Sargsyan-Gul Meeting Gave Hope That A Long-Overdue Thaw Has Begun, B

    SARGSYAN-GUL MEETING GAVE HOPE THAT A LONG-OVERDUE THAW HAS BEGUN, BRYZA SAYS

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    11.09.2008 14:22 GMT+04:00

    /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.
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