Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept.1. / Trend E.Tariverdiyeva /
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, today welcomed Turkey and Armenia's joint statement announcing that they plan to start talks aiming to normalize bilateral relations, saying such a development would contribute to regional stability, the OSCE reported.
"The establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia would be a positive step not just for the South Caucasus region, but also beyond," Bakoyannis said. "I warmly welcome this positive step toward normalization of ties between two OSCE participating States."
Bakoyannis called on both sides to build on the positive momentum achieved in the Swiss-led talks.
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, RIA Novosti reported with the reference to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
"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 ministry said.
"Both protocols create a base for normalizing bilateral relations," the Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed.
Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993.
"Normalization of bilateral relations will further guarantee peace and stability in region. Turkey and Armenia are determined to make overall efforts under the support of Switzerland," the Turkish Foreign Minister reported.