Turkey sees Armenian government and diaspora on different pages

"The Armenian diaspora is working, but their efforts are aimed at gaining benefits from the situation. From what I see, the Armenian administration does not share these (efforts)," Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told reporters before his departure to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Erdogan said meetings between Turkey and Armenia continue at the lower ministerial levels, and it is aimed to gradually increase the level of these meetings.

"We have always been sincere in our dealings (with the Armenian administration)," he added.

After arriving in Davos, Erdogan told reporters he would probably meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan at the forum.

Turkey and Armenia have no diplomatic relations and their border has been closed for more than a decade, as Armenia presses the international community with the backing of the diaspora to admit the so-called "genocide" claims instead of accepting Turkey's call to investigate the allegations, and Armenia's invasion of 20 percent territory of Azerbaijan.

A warmer period began in relations when Turkish President Abdullah Gul paid a landmark visit to Yerevan in September to watch a World Cup qualifying football match between the two countries on the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan. The two countries have been holding contacts at the minister level since.

BABACAN MEETS NALBANDIAN

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Wednesday he met his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian in Davos, adding they would meet again in the Swiss town.

Babacan said there is an ongoing process between Turkey and Armenia and when a tangible outcome is achieved it would be announced.

He ruled out a trilateral meeting between Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Davos.

Babacan said earlier Wednesday that 2009 could be a milestone in Turkish-Armenian relations. He told broadcaster CNNTurk in Davos that he expected the problems between Turkey and Armenia to be solved in 2009.

"Actually, it would not surprise me if a solution was found this year. 2009 can be a milestone in Turkish-Armenian relations as long as both parties maintain their political will till the end," he said.