TURKEY * ARMENIA * PROSPECTS * SARGISIAN * SPEECH

Armenian President faces the future of Armenian-Turkish relations with optimism-25.09.08

Yerevan, September 25. /Mediamax/. Armenian President Serzh Sargsian stated that he has reached agreement with his Turkish counterpart not to leave the existing problems between the two countries to future generations.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the Armenian President today, Serzh Sargsian said this on September 24 in New York at the meeting with representatives of the Armenian community of the USA.

“I believe that it is really time to solve the problems, and I saw this
readiness in my Turkish counterpart, felt that he had sufficient courage to make uneasy decisions. All this gives me ground to hope that we will not leave the solution of problems to next generations and will not be looking for occasions to stall for time”, Armenian President stated.

He noted that a few days later after Yerevan meeting of the two countries’ Presidents, Turkish Prime Minister stated that Ankara is ready to look into its future and accept the conclusions of the possible commission.

“These are the words of courageous authorities. Now we should think about how to help the Turkish society to be more impartial in the issue of assessing its own history, the society, hundreds of thousands representatives of which entered the streets with posters “We are all Hrant Dinks!” and “We are all Armenians!””, Serzh Sargsian stated.Armenian President noted that “one thing is obvious – it is necessary to discuss all the topics”.

“Only ones, who have nothing to say and who have hung-ups, refuse to participate in discussions. We have no hung-ups. And I want to hope that the day, when two neighboring countries will solve primary problems in the sphere of interstate contacts, is not far away”, Serzh Sargsian stated.

He noted that the Turkish President expressed readiness during Yerevan meeting in case of necessity to assist the process of Karabakh conflict settlement. “We always welcomed any assistance to creating auspicious atmosphere for the activity of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, and the initiative of the Turkish President may be of the kind. The main goal for us in the process of Karabakh conflict settlement is to convince the Azerbaijani side peacefully and through talks of the fact that the recognition of the right of Nagorno-Karabakhi people for self-determination is inevitable. And I am sure that after that right is recognized, through joint efforts we will advance with large steps”, Armenian President stressed.

MEDIAMAX

25.09.2008