http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=3D110063
Turkey's steps reciprocated by Armenia, says Babacan
Thursday, July 17, 2008
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said yesterday that Turkey has taken
unilateral steps to normalize bilateral ties with neighboring Armenia
and the recent offer by Yerevan to the Turkish president to watch a
football match was a result of Ankara's efforts.
In an interview with the private NTV television, Babacan said
Turkey always favored dialogue with Yerevan as communicated to
Armenian officials in letters sent to them. President Abdullah G=FCl
sent a letter to Armenian President-elect Serzh Sarksyan after the
elections, expressing the wish for the normalization of relations.
Sarksyan recently invited G=FCl to visit Yerevan for a football match
in September. Turkey and Armenia will play each other in a qualifying
match for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in South
Africa.
Babacan said the Turkish side is still evaluating the offer. He
emphasized that Turkey adopted the policy of "zero problems" with its
neighbors, and that because Armenia is a landlocked country it needs
Turkey to open up to the world. Although the borders are closed with
Yerevan, trade is ongoing through indirect routes, he noted.
"Turkey is a door of life for Armenia," said Babacan.
He emphasized that the Armenian government should do its part for
better ties.
"Armenia should decide: Should the problems continue or should we
open a new chapter in relations," said Babacan.
Asked how a possible passage of a genocide resolution in the U.S.
Congress will affect ties with Wa****ngton, Babacan said such a
development would seriously harm relations.
He highlighted that the past is the job of historians while
politicians should look to the future.
In a recent visit to the United States last month, Babacan held
talks with the political advisors of the two U.S. presidential
hopefuls, John McCain and Barack Obama. Babacan said he explained to
both of them the Turkish stance on the 1915 killings and told them
Ankara's proposal to set up a joint commission of independent
academics to study the allegations was still on the table.
Babacan also said the closure case opened against the ruling party
weakened Turkey's hand abroad, citing =DDzmir's defeat to Milan to host
the EXPO 2015 fair. Meanwhile, Babacan stood behind his recent remarks
in a speech at the European parliament that the Muslim majority in
Turkey, not the non-Muslims, were having problems in observing their
religion.
"I am behind what I said. There are problems regarding freedoms in
Turkey. The categorical rejection of these problems means ignoring the
facts about Turkey," he added.
Babacan attended a dinner Monday, the first day when Turkey's
ambassadors from all over the world started detailed foreign policy
talks in Ankara. Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak =D6z=FCgergin said
relations with the EU, United States, Latin American countries, Russia
and Africa were discussed on the first day.
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