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Russian President Supports Turkish-Armenian Process

13 May 2010 01:36 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The Russian president extended on Wednesday support to normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations. Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was monitoring the process carefully, and wished that the process that had gained momentum with protocol signed between Turkey and Armenia would continue, APA reports quoting turkishny.com web-page.
"I hope parties will reach an agreement," Medvedev told a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara.
Medvedev said the normalization would contribute to regional stability, improve economic relations and raise living standards.
"We support this process, we will make use of our resources, but the concerned parties will make the (final) decision," he said.
On Karabakh dispute, Medvedev said it was a challenging issue but not the sole issue in the Caucasus.
Medvedev said promising steps had been taken recently for settlement of Karabakh controversy, and there had been a number of developments but that did not mean a compromise on all matters.
The Russian president said he had recommended Russia’s mediation to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, organized negotiations in Russia and such initiatives would continue.
Medvedev said significant progress had been made recently, however nobody should be contented with that progress.
On bilateral relations, Medvedev said he discussed contributions of Turkey and Russia on regional and global stability with Gul, and referred to two countries’ responsibility in the Black Sea basin.
Medvedev said Gul and he once more confirmed the will to counter terrorism, and two countries would do their best for a cooperation among security, military and intelligence units.
Also, Medvedev said two countries had similar views on solution of Middle East problem and they could make the process more active.
Medvedev said Gul and he discussed possible steps that could be taken, and the recent slowdown in the process had affected living standards in the region.
All countries should work efficiently to solve problems, Medvedev said.
Medvedev said all concerned parties should take part in solution of the Middle East problem, and it was not possible for the Palestinian administration to solve the problem with such a division.
"This will lead to Palestine’s recess and the peace process is not going on as desired," he said.
Medvedev said the United States should be more active on this issue, and the Middle East should be a region purified from nuclear weapons.
"Presence of nuclear weapons and their use will be a disaster," he said.
The Russian president said Gul and he also debated Iraq and Iran, and Russia’s stance on Iran was certain and close to that of Turkey.
Medvedev said measures to ensure stability should be taken, Iran should assume a constructive approach and a peaceful solution should be found.
"If a country implements its own nuclear program, it will destabilize balances rapidly and cause serious results," he said.
Medvedev said Russia aimed to use all its resources and continue talks with particularly Iran, Israel and other countries involved in the process.
"I am hopeful that it will be possible to get out of this complicated situation, but it is a challenging one," he said.
Russia and Turkey were also interested in the stability of the Caucasus, Medvedev said.
Medvedev said two countries were working to solve the Karabakh dispute, and Russia would continue the process and consultations with Turkey.
Gul and Medvedev also took up Balkans and Cyprus.
"Turkish and Russian partnership is in line with the best interests of our nations, and it is one of elements ensuring regional peace," he also said.
Medvedev is actually paying a formal visit to Turkey. He will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which will be followed by a working lunch.
The Russian president will also meet Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin.
Medvedev will participate in a meeting of the Turkish-Russian Business Forum.
Turkey’s President Gul is expected to host a dinner in Medvedev’s honor at the Cankaya Presidential Residence.