ARFD holds protest against ratification of Protocols

January 11, 2010 - 17:25 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
By the initiative of ARF-Dashnkaktsutyun, a protest rally against ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols is now taking place on Shahumyan square, Yerevan. Protesters have been joined by representatives from other political forces, particularly Heritage, Ramkavar Azatakan and New Times.

In his speech, Head of ARFD parliamentary group Vahan Hovhannisyan said the party will submit to RA Constitutional Court the results of a recent legal expertise which shows documents' inconsistency with Armenia's national interests and the threats they pose to the country's national security.

The meeting has brought together over 1000 participants.

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.