Published: Friday January 30, 2009
Yerevan – The president of Armenia and prime minister of Turkey met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, Switzerland, this week.
According to The Associated Press, Mr. Sargsian said that talks with Mr. Erdogan were “very useful.” Speaking to reporters following their meeting, Mr. Sargsian said, “I’ve seen a willingness of the prime minister to solve our issues. I think this is a positive signal.”
According to Reuters, Mr. Erdogan said that talks between the two countries could yield a roadmap for relations if Yerevan shows a “sincere” attitude. The Turkish prime minister during a panel session at the forum said, “It would be a shame if all these efforts are made a victim of [the Armenian] diaspora’s works.” This was not the only time Mr. Erdogan tried to drive a wedge between Armenia and the diaspora. According to Today’s Zaman, Mr. Erdogan also had the following to say: “The Armenian diaspora is plotting. But we can see very clearly and sharply that their efforts are aimed at utilizing [this issue]. This is obvious. But I also see that the current administration in Armenia doesn’t take part in this,” Mr. Erdogan stressed.
Relations between Armenia and Turkey began to thaw after Mr. Sargsian invited Turkey’s President Abdullah Gül to Yerevan to watch the World Cup qualifying match between the two country’s national soccer teams in September 2008.
Source: The Armenian Reporter, January 30, 2009