Armenia, Turkey agree to normalize ties

ISTANBUL, Turkey, April 23 (UPI) -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry says Armenia and Turkey have agreed to improve their diplomatic relations following mediation procedures.

The ministry said in a statement that both sides have agreed to a "comprehensive framework" for improving diplomatic ties between the two countries, Hurriyet reported Thursday.

Theneighboring countries severed ties in 1993 and the border was closed. They have been involved in talks to improve relations.

"The two parties have achieved tangible progress and mutual understanding in this process and they have agreed on a comprehensive framework for the normalization of their bilateral relations in a mutually satisfactory manner," the ministry said. "In this context, a road-map has been identified."

Switzerland has been mediating talks between the two countries and the agreed-upon settlement has already been applauded by the U.S. government, Today's Zaman said.

"It has long been and remains the position of the United States that normalization should take place without preconditions and within a reasonable timeframe," U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.