Turkish FM responds nationalist MHP's question on Armenia

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that Turkey took significant steps in elimination of problems with its neighbors however Armenia remained as a missing part of that picture.

"It is obvious that refusal of the friendly hand offered by Turkey will give the most damage to Armenia itself," Davutoglu told a written statement as response to a parliamentary question submitted by opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

"The protocols signed with Armenia formed the initial steps of the normalization which Turkey considers as a long-term process. Definitely, continuation of this process will depend on Armenia's will to solve problems," he said.

Davutoglu said Turkey was endeavoring to boost its relations with all its neighbors on the basis of mutual respect and good neighborly relations.

Turkish foreign minister said solution of current political conflicts in the Southern Caucasus was the main condition of ensuring a sustainable security and peace.

Davutoglu said another important condition for establishment of a comprehensive peace in Southern Caucasus was solution of Upper Karabakh problem.

He said Turkish government was of the opinion that normalization process between Turkey and Armenia would have an affirmative impact on efforts for a solution.

"We saw that negotiations carried out between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan gained momentum after normalization process, and the two presidents had 9 talks," he said.


/World Bulletin/