ISTANBUL. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed steps towards normalization of bilateral relations with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan and thanked Yerevan for helping mitigate the effects of the earthquakes at a meeting on Wednesday.
"We have held a bilateral meeting [with Mirzoyan] and discussed steps that could lead to the normalization of our relations," Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with Mirzoyan in Ankara. The Anadolu agency broadcast the press conference.
Cavusoglu said he was counting on progress in the normalization of bilateral relations and added that sustainable peace in the South Caucasus was possible if Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan "take real measures."
"Armenia has sent us 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid and has expressed the wish to provide additional assistance. We would like to thank it for that. Armenia acts as a fraternal country and stretches out a helping hand at such a difficult time," Cavusoglu said.
He lauded the efforts of the Armenian search-and-rescue team to clean up the aftermath of devastating consequences of the quakes.
In turn, Mirzoyan said that Armenia sought to fully normalize relations with Turkey.
"I would like to reaffirm the readiness and aspiration of Armenia to make peace in the region, fully normalize relations with Turkey, establish diplomatic relations and fully open the Armenian-Turkish border," Mirzoyan said at a press briefing after talks with Cavusoglu. He said the negotiations addressed "certain aspects of the process."
"There is also an agreement to repair the Ani Bridge [on the border between Armenia and Turkey] and to take care of infrastructure in view of the border's full reopening," Mirzoyan said.
He extended condolences to the people, the government and families of the people killed in the devastating quake in Turkey.