BUCHAREST – ”To settle problems we have with our neighbors is the main policy of Turkish government,” Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay said on Monday in Bucharest, Romania, where he attend the ”Black Sea Partnership & Dialogue Forum”.
Asked about efforts of Turkey to normalize relations with Armenia, Atalay said, ”many problems have been solved with neighbors –mainly Greece and Syria. There are some known problems with Armenia. Turkey wishes Armenia to act reasonably and try to normalize relations.”
Atalay said preparations were underway regarding the 4th round of talks (at deputy undersecretary level) between Turkey and Armenia, but noted that he is unable to give a firm timetable for the moment.
-COOPERATION IN BLACK SEA-
Speaking to reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Atalay said this new initiative aimed at boosting cooperation in the Black sea.
”Turkey is for the improvement of stability, friendship and welfare in the Black Sea,” Atalay said, noting that, ”Black Sea has become a very important region particularly in the past 20 years. Istanbul Strait, which is the only exit point of the Black Sea, is in Turkey. What Turkey would say pertaining to Black Sea is important,” he reaffirmed.
Atalay said, ”Black Sea Economic Cooperation Council is the actual platform of the Black Sea. It has already been a regional organization and Turkey pioneered for the establishment of this organization, which has its HQs in Istanbul.”
-ALIYEV-KOCHARIAN MEETING
Commenting on the meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Robert Kocharian in Bucharest aiming to find a peaceful solution to the problem of Upper Karabakh (Azeri territory under Armenian occupation), Atalay said Turkey is for a dialogue between the two countries.
Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine join the forum in presidential level. Greece is represented by Public Order Minister and Bulgaria is represented by its deputy prime minister.
Besides the Black Sea littoral states, representatives from EU member countries, United States, Norway, Israel and some international organizations participate in the meeting.
Atalay is expected to return to Turkey late on Monday.
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