Turkish and Armenian special envoys will hold their first meeting in Moscow in January to normalize relations between the two neighbors, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, urging the Armenian side not to sabotage the process, Turkish-language Hurriyet Daily News reported.
In a televised interview late December 30th, Cavusoglu said talks between Turkish Special Envoy Serdar Kulac and Armenian Special Envoy Ruben Rubenyan would take place in the Russian capital in January, saying the exact date had not been agreed. Cavusoglu describes Rubenyan as a well-meaning man with a good knowledge of Turkey.
"When we look at the steps taken by Armenia, we can say that there is a positive outlook. It must remain constant. There are no prejudices. But it is also a fact that we cannot be on the same page on certain issues, "Cavusoglu said.
The first meeting will take place in a third country, Russia, with which Turkey also has good relations, the foreign minister said, noting that special envoys would discuss how to continue normalizing relations.
Turkey recognized Armenia in the early 1990s, but did not establish diplomatic relations after Yerevan occupied Azerbaijani territories in Nagorno-Karabakh. The process of normalization presupposes the establishment of diplomatic relations, the opening of borders and the launch of economic, trade and transport projects between the two nations.
As part of confidence-building measures, Turkey will resume charter flights to Yerevan until Armenia decides to lift the embargo on Turkish goods. "It was decided not to extend the embargo on imports of Turkish goods into the country," the Armenian Ministry of Economy said. The embargo was imposed after Turkey's strong support for Azerbaijan in the six-week war with Armenia, which ended with the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
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