European Commission hails steps by Armenia, Turkey to normalize ties

On Aug. 31, Turkey and Armenia in the talks mediated by Switzerland reached an agreement to launch "internal political consultations" to sign the Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on Development of Bilateral Relations.

Political consultations will be completed within six weeks, and following that two protocols will be signed and submitted to the two countries' parliaments for approval.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, also welcomed the diplomatic progress made.

"This agreement should contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus," EU commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Olli Rehn said in a separate statement.

/Novosti Armenia/