We, all the countries of the region, should look forward

ArmInfo.

Important countries of the region should take measures to solve issues via dialogue, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said in an interview with APA when commenting of the recent military actions in Georgia and his visit to Yerevan.

‘Our Prime Minister Erdogan visited Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and discussed these issues. There was a random chance during the world qualifying championship. Turkish and Armenian
national teams were at the same group. After this, Armenian president invited me to Yerevan. It demands courage to say to Turkish President to come and to watch the match together. We know that there occurs dashnaks and other groups, which are against this issue. Why did I receive this invitation? I believed in creation of chance to conduct discussions to solve problems in the region. I wanted to seize this occasion for the discussion of Nagorno Karabagh conflict and problems between Turkey and Armenia. To tell the truth, I was satisfied with the realization of this visit, because state figures should measure thrice and cut once and take any decisive step afterwards. If we freeze the problem, it will be worse and worse. Then these frozen problems become de facto. Therefore, state figures should conduct discussions hardily. We all look like each other in this small land as Caucasus. The majority speaks Turkish in the region or understands this language one should move this potential ahead and find solution to the problems. During my visit, I very openly talked to president Sargsyan on these issues. I talked to him more openly about all what I am talking to you and stressed the importance of
resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia’, – Gul said. He also added two issues were discussed within the frames of his visit, one of which was Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. ‘Sargsyan
also supported solution to the problems in the region and expressed satisfaction with our participation in this process. They supported Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, assessed it as an
opportunity for the solution to the problems in the region and stressed the importance of conducting dialogue after the developments in Georgia. Sargsyan stated that he had met with Ilham Aliyev and would meet henceforth. I told Sargsyan that we should be realist. Dialogue should be conducted to overcome of the problems. If it is not conducted at present, it will be 30-40 years later and it will
cause problems to the future generations. I saw that Sargsyan spoke sincerely. I left Yerevan with great pleasure. There can be those, who were against this visit in Turkey and Azerbaijan and I respect
them. I am sure that these initiatives will achieve good results and they will also be happy. 50 million people died during World War II in Europe, but Germany and France are closer allies at present. We
should look at the future, not only past and should open doors for the future. He also added he passed an independent decision to visit Yerevan. ‘No country influenced on me in regard to my decision.
However, I am pleased to receive estimation from several countries. Armenia has understood that it is obliged to cooperate with neighboring countries, as well as the whole world. Otherwise, there
will not be peace in the region and Armenia can be assessed as the country standing on the way of peace. I believe in good assessment of this chance in the image of Sargsyan. Old policy should be left
behind. We should look forward as regional countries’, – he said and added: ‘I sent my bodyguards and vehicle to Armenia through Georgia, not via Kars in order not to hurt feelings of Azerbaijani People’.
ArmInfo News Agency

10.09.2008