US Department of State welcomed the joint statement made by Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Turkey and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs drawing further steps in normalization of Armenia-Turkey bilateral relations.

“It has long been and remains the position of the United States that normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe. We [U.S.] urge Armenia and Turkey to proceed expeditiously, according to the agreed framework as described in today’s statement,” says the message of U.S. Department of State.

U.S. Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said that Washington remains ready “to work closely with both governments in support of normalization, a historic process that will contribute to peace, security and stability throughout the region.”

As NEWS.am has informed earlier, late on August 31, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Turkey issued a press release which says: "The Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey have agreed to start their internal political consultations on two protocols – the ‘Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations’ and the ‘Protocol on the development of bilateral relations’ – which have been initiated in the course of their efforts under Swiss mediation.

The two Protocols provide for a framework for the normalization of their bilateral relations within a reasonable timeframe. The political consultations will be completed within six weeks, following which the two Protocols will be signed and submitted to the respective Parliaments for the ratification on each side. Both sides will make their best efforts for the timely progression of the ratification in line with their constitutional and legal procedures.