The European Commission on Saturday welcomed the signing by Turkey and Armenia of protocols for the establishing of diplomatic relations and bilateral relations.

'This Armenia-Turkey agreement will benefit all countries in the South Caucasus region,' the Commission said in a statement released in Brussels, m&g reports.

'The signature of the protocols confirms the desire of both Turkey and Armenia to turn a page and build a new future,' EU Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, was quoted as saying.

The Commission said it looked forward to the ratification and implementation of the protocols, which were signed in Zurich on Saturday, 'according to the agreed timetable and without any additional pre-conditions.'