Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is holding contacts in the Armenian capital Yerevan. He was received by his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandyan on Thursday, January 14.
Lavrov said that Russia is interested in normalizing relationship between Turkey and Russia, adding that the sooner that happens, the better for the whole region.
Armenian Foreign Minister Nalbandyan stated that they hope Ankara would ratify the protocols that stipulate reopening of the border.
Turkey and Armenia agreed to establish diplomatic ties and reopen their land border closed by Ankara in 1993 by signing protocols in October 2008. The protocols need parliamentary ratification, and Turkey links the step to constructive steps by Armenia on the Upper Karabakh issue, a conflict with Turkish ally Azerbaijan.
Armenian Constitutional Court had opened the way for ratification by the Parliament by deciding that the protocols comply with the Constitution.
However, Armenia opposes Turkey's conditioning the improvement of relations to a progress in the Upper Karabakh issue.