ArmInfo.Moscow believes that rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey would facilitate the improvement of the general atmosphere in the region, Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson for the RF foreign office, told a news briefing on Wednesday.
"In this context, we welcome the intention to start a dialogue to discuss the normalization-related issues Ankara and Yerevan have displayed lately. And we regards the appointment of special representatives with this end in view as a logical step by the sides to put their mutual intentions into practice," she said. Moscow is willing to support the process in every possible way, Zakharova said.
The December 10 meeting of the 3+3 regional platform in Moscow contributes to the rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey and to closer relations between the other parties to the format. In this context, Zakharova noted that the participants in the meeting agreed to focus on practical issues - confidence building, transport, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, responding to universal challenges and threats.
The prospective resumption of nonstop flights between Yerevan and Istanbul is in line with the spirit of the agreement as well.
Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu stated recently that Ankara and Yerebvan intended to appoint special representatives to discuss steps toward rapprochement between the two states. He also announced the resumption of Istanbul-Yerevan charter flights. The Turkish FM stated that Ankara would act in coordination with Azerbaijan in normalizing its relations with Armenia.
Official Yerevan welcomes the Turkish FM`s statement. Vahan Hunanyan, Spokesman for Armenia`s foreign office, stated: "Armenia, both in the past and now, is ready for normalizing its relations with Turkey without preconditions, which is incorporated in the Armenian government`s programme. In this context, we welcome the Turkish foreign minister`s statement on the appointment of a special representative for normalization of relations. The Armenian side reaffirms it will appoint a special representative to conduct this dialogue," he said.