2009 CAN MARK TURNING POINT IN TURKEY-ARMENIA TIES: TURKISH FM
Trend News Agency
Jan 28 2009
Azerbaijan
2009 can mark a turning point in Turkey-Armenia relations, Turkish
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in his interview with CNN Turk
in Davos. "If problems in Turkey-Armenia ties are solved this year,
it will not be surprise for me," Babacan said.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 because of Armenia’s
"genocide" claims and occupation of 20% of Azerbaijani lands. Turkish
President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on September 6, 2008 at the
invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisyan to watch
Armenia-Turkey football match within the European Cup. Efforts have
been made since then to normalize ties between the two countries.
Babacan said the sides should keep their political will to the end
in an effort to normalize relations. Turkey has such a will, he said.
Minister said Armenia also has political will and it must stay
committed to his position.
Babacan said he backs resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem as
soon as possible.