A press release issued Monday by State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said it had long been and remained to be the position of the United States that normalization ought to take place without preconditions and within a reasonable time frame; urging Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously, according to the agreed framework as described in Monday's statement.
The U.S. announced it was ready to work closely with both governments in support of normalization which it regarded as a historic process that would contribute to peace, security and stability throughout the region.
Under Switzerland's mediation Turkey and Armenia agreed Monday to start their internal political consultations on the establishment of diplomatic ties and development of bilateral relations.
Under the agreement the two countries will conclude internal political consultations within six weeks which would be followed by ratification at Turkish and Armenian parliaments.
