Global leaders applaud Armenia-Turkey deal

The Swiss-mediated talks are expected to last six weeks, the two sides said in a joint statement. The two countries, which have no diplomatic ties and a history of animosity stemming from the killings of Anatolian Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I, announced late on Monday that they plan to sign accords within six weeks under a plan to end a century of hostility.

Under the agreement, both sides would hold domestic consultations before signing two protocols on the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations. The protocols would have to be ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.

The European Union, which has long asked candidate member Turkey to normalize ties with its neighbor as a way to improve regional security, welcomed the protocol agreement and urged Ankara and Yerevan to implement the protocols rapidly. “This agreement should contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus,” EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in a statement delivered Tuesday.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, the chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), whose Minsk Group has been working for a decade and a half to mediate the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, also welcomed the move by the two neighboring countries, echoing the EU in saying such a development would contribute to regional stability.

“The establishment of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Armenia would be a positive step not just for the South Caucasus region, but for the wider world,” Bakoyannis said on Tuesday. “I warmly welcome this positive step toward normalization of ties between two OSCE-participating states,” she said, calling on both sides to build on the positive momentum achieved in the Swiss-led talks.

Another welcoming message came from Europe's top human rights body, the Council of Europe. Acting Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Maud de Boer-Buquicchio said she strongly welcomed the agreement between Turkey and Armenia to sign two protocols on establishing diplomatic relations.

“This is a historic event for both countries and the region,” de Boer-Buquicchio declared on Tuesday. “It will help to normalize the relations between two member states of the Council of Europe, and I would like to encourage the two countries to continue on the path which will help to improve stability in this part of Europe.”

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, welcomed the decision of the Turkish and Armenian governments to move towards normalization of relations as well.

 The Helsinki Commission is an independent US government agency which monitors and encourages compliance with the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE commitments in the 56 OSCE-participating states states.

“I hope these countries with close ties to the US will maintain this positive momentum through open and constructive dialogue. The Swiss intermediaries deserve credit for helping Ankara and Yerevan address their common challenges,” Senator Benjamin Cardin, chairman of the commission, said.

“The recent developments in ongoing negotiations between Turkey and Armenia are very encouraging,” Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee Hastings said. “The opening of borders will benefit the people of these OSCE-participating states and have a positive impact on regional stability and security.”

 Following welcoming messages from France and the United States, two chairs of the Minsk Group, the third co-chair, Russia, also welcomed Armenia and Turkey's intent to normalize bilateral relations Tuesday.

“We hope that an improvement in relations between the two neighbors will revitalize bilateral trade and economic contacts and will have a positive impact on the socio-economic situation of both states,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site, adding that a better relationship between Armenia and Turkey “will help normalize the situation in the region and strengthen peace and security.”