The visit of the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul to Armenia at the invitation of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan created a completely new situation in the region, Secretary of National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan told a press conference, noting that RA President’s Initiative of launching normal political dialogue was a most correct political step. “Our neighbors are not our rivals, we must gradually establish normal relations with our neighbors: this is the slogan in the sphere of foreign policy and security, which our politicians are guided by. The launch of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue envisages different components, which embrace the vital interests of the Republic of Armenia in most different fields,” Arthur Baghdasaryan said.
As for the rumors that Turkey may assume the role of a mediator in the Karabakh conflict settlement, Arthur Baghdasaryan said Turkey can never become a mediator, especially considering that there has never been such a question. Armenia has always defended and defends the format of negotiations within the framework of the Minsk Group. The Co-Chairs also accept that the Minsk Group format should not change. According to him, Abdullah Gul has expressed the will to contribute to the resolution of the issue. “We are ready to accept any assistance. Assistance and mediation are different missions. We welcome any attempt of assistance that can contribute to the peaceful resolution of the issue,” Arthur Baghdasaryan said, appreciating the fact that the French and US Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group visited Stepanakert during their latest visits to the region and met with NKR leadership. According to him, this is a new emphasis and an immediate expression of the reality that NKR is becoming an active participant of the process.
According to the Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia, the conflict between Russia and Georgia evidenced once again that the attempts of solving issues in a military way result in unwanted consequences. The authorities in Armenia once again proved their balanced position of resolving conflicts through mutual concessions.
Speaking about the opportunities of opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey and its consequences, Arthur Baghdasaryan noted that research is carried out to find out the possible positive and negative aspects of it.
Nevertheless, the opening of the border can ensure much greater dividends for Armenia's economic development than certain negative trends. He said the positive sides of exploitation of the Gyumri-Kars railway are obvious, simply reminding that the distance between Gyumri and Kars is 3 km.
Reported by the Public Radio of Armenia
