Obama praises Erdogan's efforts for normalized relations with Armenia

During their meeting on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington earlier this week, President Barack Obama expressed his appreciation and support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia, according to official accounts. "The president relayed his continuing support and appreciation for Prime Minister Erdogan's efforts on normalization of relations with Armenia, and encouraged him to continue forward toward ratification of the protocols for the benefit of future generations," said a White House statement yesterday. Saying that during the meeting both leaders reaffirmed the Turkish-US strategic partnership, it added, "They discussed their joint interest in achieving the nonproliferation goals of the (Nuclear Security) Summit and in ensuring that Iran does not pose a nuclear threat to the world."