November 6, 2010 - 13:19 AMT
Switzerland hopeful about Turkey-Armenia talks

Swiss President Doris Leuthard said that her country is ‘hopeful about Turkey-Armenia talks.’

"The protocols on normalization of relations have not worked yet. It needs time for both governments and societies. Probably you will never have the same view concerning the past, but you have a future. The people of these two countries must have a future. And, the future is built on the same interest that you try to give young people - a perspective based on peace and neutral partnership. That is always the best thing," she said in an interview with a group of journalists from various Turkish newspapers.

When asked if the Turkish and Armenian sides still conduct talks although the process is frozen, Leuthard said: "Behind the curtains you always have contact. It depends on the political will of the sides. We are not the actors - just the facilitators of the process."

She added: "There is no doubt that both sides have a political will to that end. It is sometimes not important to be fast. It is more important that you have an agreement based on quality and mutual understanding."

She dismissed suspicions as to the fate of the talks, Today’s Zaman reported.