COUNCIL OF EUROPE WELCOMES AGREEMENT ON DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA
Trend
Sept 1 2009
Azerbaijan
Council of Europe welcomes the agreement on diplomatic relations
between Turkey and Armenia, said the Acting Secretary General of the
Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio.
"I strongly welcome the agreement to sign two protocols between Turkey
and Armenia on establishing of diplomatic relations between the two
countries, she said. This is a historic event for both countries and
the region".
"It will help to normalise the relations between two member states of
the Council of Europe and I would like to encourage the two countries
to continue on the path which will help improve the stability in this
part of Europe," Maud de Boer-Buquicchio said.
During negotiations under the mediation of Switzerland, Turkey
and Armenia reached an agreement to begin "internal political
consultations" regarding the signing of Protocol on establishing
diplomatic relations" and "Protocol on development of bilateral
relations, RIA Novosti reported with reference to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.
Political consultations will be completed within six weeks, and after
that two protocols will be signed, which to be presented for approval
by the parliaments of two countries," the statement says.
"Both protocols provide the basis for the normalization of bilateral
relations," the Foreign Ministry of Turkey stated.
Diplomatic relations are absent between Turkey and Armenia, the
borders between the two countries have been closed since 1993.
"Normalization of bilateral relations would contribute to ensuring
peace and stability in the region. Turkey and Armenia are inclined
to make common efforts under support of Switzerland," the Ministry
of Turkey said.