Trust-building steps plannaed on Armenian

Turkey is planning to introduce a fresh set of confidence-building measures as part of normalization efforts with Armenia. Sources close to the Yerevan government described these measures as “small, symbolic steps that go beyond church restoration.” The Hurriyet Daily News has learned that a decision was made by the Turkish side to send positive signals to the Armenian side. One of the plans in the works was said to be the opening of an office in Yerevan by Turkish Airlines, or THY. “It is a serious consideration,” one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Sources said the idea offered the opportunity to open up markets as Iranians will fly to Yerevan and then to Istanbul. The second plan involves the establishment of new charter flights between Turkey’s eastern city of Van and Yerevan. The Daily News has also learned that there is an idea on the table for Turkish Education Ministry officials to visit Armenia as part of a regional tour. Turkish diplomats told the Daily News, however, that they didn’t have knowledge of such steps. Despite all the challenges, however, it has been learned that the Turkish side showed more willingness during U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit last weekend that it will lay the groundwork and keep working on normalizing relations with Armenia.