Moscow will host the first meeting between the special envoys of Turkey and Armenia to discuss steps for normalizing ties between the two countries, Turkey's foreign minister said today (December 27).

Speaking at a year-end evaluation of Turkey's foreign policy, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, "Our impression is that the first meeting will take place in Moscow, as Armenia desires. Aside from the first meeting, we also want communication to be held directly."

He said a roadmap towards normalizing ties needed to be set, adding that this would be on the first meeting's agenda.

Noting that charter flights between Turkey and Armenia would soon begin, he reiterated that Turkey was pursuing its normalization discussions in consultation and coordination with Azerbaijan.

Armenia's rhetoric has so far been positive, said the minister.

Citing the 2009 efforts by Ankara and Yerevan by Turkey to normalize relations, Çavuşoğlu said that though the previous attempt had been conducted in "good faith," the new process was separate.

"Within the framework of this process, new steps must be taken to normalize relations. This will be important for the stability, peace, and prosperity of the Caucasus," he said.

On December 15, Turkey appointed Serdar Kılıç, a former ambassador to the US, as its special envoy to discuss steps for normalization with Armenia. Three days later, Armenia also appointed its special representative for dialogue with Turkey, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan. (PT/VK)