Expert: international community to blame Turkey for protocols failure

 October 10, 2011 - 12:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Even if Armenia is the first to withdraw the signature from the protocols on normalization of relations with Turkey, the international community will blame Ankara for that, an Armenian expert believes.

According to Ruben Melkonyan, French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s statements proved that any harsh move by Armenia will not be condemned.

“The protocols cannot remain frozen for a long time. And it’s not time to withdraw signature now, when the international community is concentrated on Middle East problems,” Melkonyan said, adding that Armenia’s equanimity is an advantage.

The protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the common border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On August 22, 2011, Turkey’s Grand National Assembly has withdrawn from the agenda 898 bills, including the Armenian-Turkish protocols. The new Turkish parliament considered that the issue of opening of border with Armenia is no longer actual for the country’s political course. Besides, in compliance with the parliament’s regulations, a bill that was rejected by the parliament loses its legal force during six months.

However, on September 23 the protocols were brought back to the parliament’s agenda.