Russia says backs Turkey-Armenia normalization

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was monitoring the process carefully, and wished that the process that had gained momentum with protocol signed between Turkey and Armenia would continue.

"I hope parties will reach an agreement," Medvedev told a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Ankara.

Medvedev said the normalization would contribute to regional stability, improve economic relations and raise living standards.

"We support this process, we will make use of our resources, but the concerned parties will make the (final) decision," he said.

On Karabakh dispute, Medvedev said it was a challenging issue but not the sole issue in the Caucasus. Medvedev said promising steps had been taken recently for settlement of Karabakh controversy, and there had been a number of developments but that did not mean a compromise on all matters.

The Russian president said he had recommended Russia's mediation to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsian, organized negotiations in Russia and such initiatives would continue.

Medvedev said significant progress had been made recently, however nobody should be contented with that progress. Russia and Turkey were also interested in the stability of the Caucasus, Medvedev said. Medvedev said two countries were working to solve the Karabakh dispute, and Russia would continue the process and consultations with Turkey.


/World Bulletin/