“Rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia will foster increased stability and prosperity in the entire Caucasus region”, Francis J.Ricciardone, US Ambassador-Designate to the Republic of Turkey said on testimony of his nomination at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Panel on July, 20th.
According to APA’s Washington DC correspondent, Mr.Ricciardone avoided calling the events of 1915 as “genocide”, saying that “together, the Turkish and Armenian people will be stronger as they acknowledge their common history and recognize their common humanity.”
During the testimony Senator Robert Menendez asked how Turkey should be navigated on its policy concerning 1915 events and normalization process with Armenia, as well as Cyprus problem.
The new Ambassador-to-be, called the events 1915 “massacre” quoting US President Barack Obama.
“We commended the governments of Turkey and Armenia on their signing of the historic protocols on normalization of relations on October 10, 2009 in Zurich. Both countries publicly reiterated their commitment to normalization this spring. The United States will continue to urge Turkey to ratify the protocols, and we will support programs that build understanding between Turks and Armenians” – he said.
He also assured that, Cyprus, normalization process with Armenia, Iran, Israel, Iraq and Afghanistan issues will be main agenda during his serve in Ankara.
Speaking about regional developments, the new US Ambassador-to-be pointed out that, the US welcome the June 7 agreement signed by Turkey and Azerbaijan on the gas purchase and transit of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey.
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