Turkey can help favorable atmosphere between Yerevan, Tbilisi and BakuOctober 13, 2008 - 17:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of American-Turkish Council (ATC) said Sunday that results of the upcoming U.S. presidential election would not affect Turkish-American relations much, no matter who the winner would be. ATC chairman Brent Scowcroft is currently in capital Ankara to hold a series of talks with Turkish officials. Holding a press conference prior to his talks, Scowcroft said the new U.S. president will be aware of Turkey's importance for U.S. Regarding the global economic crisis, Scowcroft said the Turkish economy does not seem to be quite affected by the crisis thanks to the reforms carried out in the country's banking sector recently. However, if the crisis got deeper, it might have a negative impact on Turkish economy as well, Scowcroft said. Commenting on Turkey's position in the Caucasus region, Scowcroft said that Turkey is an important actor for the region and it might play a strategic role in providing a secure atmosphere among countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Scowcroft said that he is optimistic about the process recently initiated between Turkey and Armenia. He also said that the ways to improve the Turkey-U.S. relations will be on the agenda of his meetings. Scowcroft said that he will first meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, General Staff Chief Gen. Ilker Basbug and Energy Minister Hilmi Guler in Ankara, and later on, he would proceed to Istanbul, Worldbulletin.net reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Azerbaijan proposes Armenia to jointly seek cancelation of Minak Group The Azerbaijani President maintained that the move will show “how sincere Armenia is.” Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. |