Turkey to appoint former ambassador to US as special envoy for 'normalization' with Armenia

Photo: AA

Turkey will appoint Serdar Kılıç, former ambassador to the US, as special envoy to discuss steps for normalization of ties with Armenia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu announced yesterday (December 15).

Speaking to reporters in the United Arab Emirates, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said positive statements for the normalization of relations were recently made from both sides, adding that there is a need to take "confidence-building measures."

There has been no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia since they mutually closed borders in 1993. In 2008, the countries signed a normalization protocol but the process didn't continue.

"We consult with Azerbaijan on every issue and take such steps ... Nobody should question whether we can act independently or separately from Azerbaijan. We are one nation, two states. These are positive things that will benefit us all," Çavuşoğlu said.

Kılıç's appointment has been made with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the minister said.

Çavuşoğlu also stated that flag carriers of Turkey and Armenia have applied to operate flights between İstanbul and Yerevan.

"These (applications) are evaluated by the Transport Ministry and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation. In principle, we approach it positively," he noted. (VK)