TURKEY HAS DECIDED TO HOLD DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS WITH ARMENIA, PAPER REPORTS

23.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. “Turkey has decided to hold diplomatic contacts directly with Armenia in order to overcome the tension in the international arena”, Turkish “Cumhuriyet” paper reports.
As a first step, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey approved attendance of representatives from Armenian non-governmental organizations and state, to a meeting by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Association (TESEV) organized to evaluate the “Caucasus Stability Pact” in Istanbul, February 17.
Representatives from Turkey, EU member countries, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran are also expected to attend the meeting.
Recalling that current policy over Armenia was not favorable to Turkey, representatives from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, “The right thing to do is to discuss the problems directly with Armenia. This is the only way we can stop the activities of the Diaspora.”
At the same time representatives said diplomatic contacts did not mean diplomatic relations with Armenia. –0–