Our aim is to normalize the relations with Armenia,” Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said in his interview to Cihan agency. Noting that the two countries had such problems as the happenings of 1915 and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories the minister said the discussions were going on well.

“It is not normal that Turkey-Armenia borders are closed. Armenia has occupied one fifths of Azerbaijani territories and the relations of these countries are tense. We do not speak about problems during the dialogue, concrete issues are discussed. All problems have been put on the table. I can not go into details, as the discussions are underway,” he said.

Ali Babacan said the priorities of the Armenians living in Armenia and those of the Diaspora were different.

“The state of the Armenians living in Armenia differs from the state of the Armenians living in California. Those living in Armenia have first-hand knowledge about the problems and understand what the normalization of the relations with Turkey can give them. Diaspora organizations have no such problems. Armenian leadership holds meetings and has discussions with Diaspora organizations. It is not easy for them either. But the current problems and Armenia’s problems will either continue, or we will try to solve the problems and it favors everybody,” he said.

Ali Babacan took a stance on U.S. president-elect Barack Obama’s promise to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide.

“Previous presidential candidates of the democrats had also promised it, but after they were elected and reviewed the details of the bilateral relations with Turkey they acted differently. After January 20 we will have sensitive days in connection with the Armenian bill. But we have already begun dialogue with Armenia. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will take it into consideration,” he said.