Armenia Thanks U.S. For Help In Normalizing Turkey Relations

YEREVAN -- Armenia's President Serzh Sarkisian has told visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Tina Kaidanow expressed gratitude on behalf of the Armenian nation to the U.S. leadership for its contribution to the normalization of relations with Turkey, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

Kaidanow held talks with Sarkisian and Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian in Yerevan this week.

Sarkisian told Kaidanow that normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia is very important for Yerevan, and to stability in the region.

Kaidanow said the United States is pleased with the progress in Turkish-Armenian relations, adding that relations should be established in reasonable terms and without preconditions.

Kaidanow stressed the importance of democratic reforms in Armenia, especially paying attention to the recently endorsed amnesty, which, as she said, was a very important step toward further democratization.

In a separate meeting with Nalbandian, Kaidanow discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.