Armenian minister optimistic on Turkey ties
Armenia sees no hurdles in the way of normalizing
its relations with Turkey, Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian has
said on a visit to Istanbul.
Nalbandian claimed Yerevan was not leveling any demands for the establishment of diplomatic ties with the neighboring country.
"I am optimistic as I see no serious obstacles to the normalization of our relations…We are ready to forge diplomatic ties without any pre-conditions and are expecting the same approach from Turkey," he said.
Armenia and Turkey have maintained no diplomatic ties and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Ankara condemns Armenia`s policy of occupation against friendly Azerbaijan and disagrees with Yerevan on the issue of the alleged genocide of Armenians.
Turkish and Armenian ministers - Ali Babacan and Eduard Nalbandian - met on Monday. Following the meeting that lasted about two and a half hours, Nalbandian termed his visit as a major step taken toward improving his country`s relations with Turkey.
He also claimed that although some forces were trying to pose stumbling blocks in the way of forging ties between Armenia and Turkey, bilateral relations would be restored and broad cooperation established between the two countries.
In other developments, Turkey`s Today`s Zaman English-language newspaper reported that the country`s state airline is planning to offer charter flights to Yerevan. Turkish Airlines intends to seek permission for these flights in coming days from the Turkish civil aviation authority.
Nalbandian claimed Yerevan was not leveling any demands for the establishment of diplomatic ties with the neighboring country.
"I am optimistic as I see no serious obstacles to the normalization of our relations…We are ready to forge diplomatic ties without any pre-conditions and are expecting the same approach from Turkey," he said.
Armenia and Turkey have maintained no diplomatic ties and the border between the two countries has been closed since 1993. Ankara condemns Armenia`s policy of occupation against friendly Azerbaijan and disagrees with Yerevan on the issue of the alleged genocide of Armenians.
Turkish and Armenian ministers - Ali Babacan and Eduard Nalbandian - met on Monday. Following the meeting that lasted about two and a half hours, Nalbandian termed his visit as a major step taken toward improving his country`s relations with Turkey.
He also claimed that although some forces were trying to pose stumbling blocks in the way of forging ties between Armenia and Turkey, bilateral relations would be restored and broad cooperation established between the two countries.
In other developments, Turkey`s Today`s Zaman English-language newspaper reported that the country`s state airline is planning to offer charter flights to Yerevan. Turkish Airlines intends to seek permission for these flights in coming days from the Turkish civil aviation authority.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!