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Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Feb 8 2009
Turkey continues efforts to normalize ties with Armenia - foreign
minister
Munich, 8 February: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has said that
NATO and the European Union (EU) could succeed in creating common
values and ideals in the Balkan countries where different religious
faiths and cultures co-existed.
Speaking at a panel discussion on "Caucasus and Balkans" held on the
sidelines of the 45th Munich Security Conference in Germany, Babacan
said, "the Balkans where different religious faiths and cultures
co-existed, need common values and ideals to bring people
together. NATO and the EU could achieve it together."
Babacan highlighted importance of dialogue to find productive
solutions to problems. "The EU should pursue an opening policy towards
the Balkans. We support Serbia's membership to the EU. On the other
hand, we think that Macedonia should become a member of NATO as soon
as possible," he said.
Referring to Turkey-Armenia relations, Babacan said, "our efforts have
been continuing to normalize the relations between the two countries
after President Serzh Sargsyan invited President Abdullah Gul to watch
the soccer match between Turkish and Armenian national teams in
Yerevan. After the relations between Turkey and Armenia and Armenia
and Azerbaijan are fully normalized, the situation in the region will
change considerably."
Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Babacan said that Turkey fully
supported President Mehmet Ali Talat of the [self-declared] Turkish
republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the latest negotiation process
between the two parties on the island aiming at finding a lasting and
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
Meanwhile, President Sargsyan of Armenia said that important
developments could happen in Turkey-Armenia relations in the second
half of the year.
He said that Armenia aimed at developing its cooperation ties with all
regional countries to make southern Caucasus an alternate route of
transportation.
Feb 8 2009
Turkey continues efforts to normalize ties with Armenia - foreign
minister
Munich, 8 February: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has said that
NATO and the European Union (EU) could succeed in creating common
values and ideals in the Balkan countries where different religious
faiths and cultures co-existed.
Speaking at a panel discussion on "Caucasus and Balkans" held on the
sidelines of the 45th Munich Security Conference in Germany, Babacan
said, "the Balkans where different religious faiths and cultures
co-existed, need common values and ideals to bring people
together. NATO and the EU could achieve it together."
Babacan highlighted importance of dialogue to find productive
solutions to problems. "The EU should pursue an opening policy towards
the Balkans. We support Serbia's membership to the EU. On the other
hand, we think that Macedonia should become a member of NATO as soon
as possible," he said.
Referring to Turkey-Armenia relations, Babacan said, "our efforts have
been continuing to normalize the relations between the two countries
after President Serzh Sargsyan invited President Abdullah Gul to watch
the soccer match between Turkish and Armenian national teams in
Yerevan. After the relations between Turkey and Armenia and Armenia
and Azerbaijan are fully normalized, the situation in the region will
change considerably."
Upon a question about the Cyprus issue, Babacan said that Turkey fully
supported President Mehmet Ali Talat of the [self-declared] Turkish
republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the latest negotiation process
between the two parties on the island aiming at finding a lasting and
comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.
Meanwhile, President Sargsyan of Armenia said that important
developments could happen in Turkey-Armenia relations in the second
half of the year.
He said that Armenia aimed at developing its cooperation ties with all
regional countries to make southern Caucasus an alternate route of
transportation.