[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22098]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE GOVERNMENTS OF TURKEY AND ARMENIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the efforts 
underway to improve the relationship between the Republics of Turkey 
and Armenia.
   Over the past several years, the two countries have been meeting 
quietly, with the assistance of Switzerland, to come to an agreement to 
normalize their relations and open the borders between Armenia and 
Turkey. I am pleased that these negotiations have been fruitful. A 
strong relationship between these two countries will benefit not only 
the citizens of Armenia and Turkey, but the region and world as well. I 
also encourage the two countries to continue to work together to finish 
this process.
   I am optimistic that these efforts will lead to greater 
stabilization of the region, and I applaud and congratulate the 
governments of Armenia and Turkey on their efforts to date and offer 
our friendship and help as they move on to the next steps in the 
process.

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