Ruben Melkonyan: Yerevan and Ankara test each other’s patience

April 14, 2010 - 17:43 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said that the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations reminds going round in circles.

There is not any progress in ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, Melkonyan told a press conference in Yerevan. “It is possible that, if the Turkish side continues the imitation policy, Armenia will withdraw its signature under the Protocols. But this issue depends on a political expediency,” he said.

According to him, currently a struggle of nerves is taking place between Yerevan and Ankara – the sides test each other’s firmness. The Turkologist noted that, judging from this, it would be incorrect, if Armenia becomes the first to yield its position. “I strongly believe that Turkish politicians will toughen their stance towards ratification of the Protocols after April 24. They will try to force Armenia to commit errors,” Melkonyan said .

According to him, the Turkish Prime Minister’s statement about deportation of illegal Armenian immigrants shall be viewed within this context. The expert warned that one should not treat this statement as a threat, since the deportation of 12,000 Greeks in 1964 proves that Ankara may take such a step.

Melkonyan added that Ankara will be responsible for failure in the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and its reputation will suffer significantly.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the 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 January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.