YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The delegation of Turkish journalists–participants in the Armenian-Turkish international conference organized by the Yerevan Press Club and the assistance fund of the Open Society Institute met with the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tigran Torossian.
The Parliament’s Public Relations Department reported that Torossian touched upon the Armenian-Turkish relations and–without excluding participation of a third party–emphasized the importance of direct contacts between the two nations. Torossian said these contacts are necessary for the solution of current problems and that Turkey should not set any preconditions to attempt to normalize relations with Armenia.
Torossian also spoke to the journalists about the Karabakh conflict–saying that it does not have a history of eight years–but dates back to the 1920’s. Armenia’s position remains unchanged – Karabakh must not be incorporated into Azerbaijan. He also said that the contacts between the Armenian and Azeri presidents have recently become more active–Armenia is ready to resolve the conflict and all peace proposals were thus far were rejected by Azerbaijan. According to the vice-speaker–the Karabakh conflict must not influence the Armenia’s relations with Turkey.
The vice-speaker also answered other questions of Turkish journalists.