Russia backs normalization talks between Turkey, Armenia: Official

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - Russia supports talks between Turkey and Armenia to normalize ties, an official said Tuesday, noting that "the whole world will benefit from this reestablishment of neighborly relations."

Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to UN Dmitry Polyanskiy told Anadolu Agency that Moscow welcomes and is in favor of talks between the two neighbors.

Moscow will host the first meeting between Turkish and Armenian special envoys to discuss steps to normalize ties.

"We are good partners, both with Turkey and with Armenia. We were promoting the regional intensification and improvement of regional ties of economic networks," said Polyanskiy.

The process is "very fragile" and "there is very little trust among the parties and a lot of suspicion," he said. "So we need to overcome this.”

On Dec. 15, Turkey appointed Serdar Kilic, a former ambassador to the US, as special envoy to discuss steps for normalization with Armenia. Three days later, Armenia appointed its special representative for dialogue with Turkey, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan.

Turkey said charter flights with Armenia would soon begin, and it is pursuing its normalization discussions in consultation and coordination with Azerbaijan.

*Servet Gunerigok in Washington contributed to the story