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Turkish and Armenian governments begin secret negotiations

18 July 2008 07:45 (UTC +04:00)

A meeting between the officials of both countries started on July 8 in Bern, Switzerland lasted for several days. High-ranking diplomats of the Turkeyâ€™s Foreign Ministry led the delegation of Turkish government, the newspaper said, but didnâ€™t report what issues they have discussed at the negotiations. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan addressed warm messages to Turkey in recent weeks. In his interview to Wall Street Journal he said that despite closing borders, there were common interests between both peoples in cultural, humanitarian and sport fields. Sargsyan thinks that establishing political relations based on mutual trust will create opportunity for discussion of complex issues concerned both sides. â€œOnly through them can we create an effective dialogue touching upon even the most contentious historical issuesâ€, said Sargsyan. Armenian president insinuated that they can accept Turkeyâ€™s proposal for establishing joint commission on false â€œgenocideâ€ issue. Sargsyan considers that if his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul visits Armenia, they will announce a new symbolic start in their relations.