U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release

August 31, 2009

STATEMENT BY IAN C. KELLY, SPOKESMAN

Turkey and Armenia:  Normalization of Relations

The United States warmly welcomes the joint statement made today by Turkey and Armenia, with Swiss participation, outlining further steps in the normalization of their bilateral relations.  It has long been and remains the position of the United States that normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe.  We urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously, according to the agreed framework as described in today’s statement.  We remain ready to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability throughout the region.