Babacan: "It wouldn't suprise me if Turkey and Armenia resolved their issues this year"

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday stated that 2009 could be a milestone in Turkish-Armenian relations, adding, "It wouldn't surprise me if a solution was found this year." After meeting with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, he said, "2009 can be a milestone in Turkish-Armenian relations as long as both parties maintain their political will to the end." Asked about a possible visit by US Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell visit to Turkey, Babacan said that they had spoken on the phone and were trying to set a date.