An agreement has yet to be signed regarding the normalization of bilateral relations between Yerevan and Ankara, the Armenian Foreign Minister has said, and that “the sole document we have is a road map plan. But the chance to normalize relations is not lost.”

“Armenia and Turkey did not sign any agreement on the normalization of bilateral relations,” Edward Nalbandian, the Armenian foreign minister, said at a joint news conference with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt late on Monday, according to an account by the Web site PanArmenian.net.

He also said that the countries have not reached any agreement on the formation of a “joint historian committee” either.

Turkey suggested that a committee of Turkish and Armenian historians re-examine the events of 1915, which could open ways for Turks and Armenians to come together using archives in Turkey, Armenia and other countries. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that the Turkish authorities would respect the conclusion of such a task force. However, Armenian leadership has rejected the overture, dismissing it as a political maneuver, and concluded that the “normalization of bilateral relations is the responsibility of governments, not historians.”

Azerbaijanis will benefit, too

“We have repeatedly stated that once the two countries reach a consensus, it will envisage opening the border, the establishment of diplomatic relations and the formation of an intergovernmental commission to deal with various issues, including confidence-building measures,” Nalbandian said.

The minister noted that all the countries in the region, including Azerbaijan, would benefit greatly from the normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia. “I do not evaluate the growing voices opposing normalization in Azerbaijan as logical reactions,” Turkish private NTV television quoted him as saying. “If Turkey and Armenia reach reconciliation, the whole region will benefit from this process. Azerbaijan is also a part of this region,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether the timing of normalization of relations with Turkey has been set, Nalbandian said he was extremely optimistic on the issue. “The chances for normalization of ties between the two countries have not yet been lost,” Nalbandian said.

For his part, Bildt said he was optimistic about the prospects of Armenian-Turkish talks. “The European Commission welcomes the process. As to the formation of commissions or other structures, these can be very useful,” he said.

Source: Hurriyet
URL: www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=chance-for-normalization-not-lost-says-armenian-fm-2009-07-21