Heritage pickets Constitutional Court

January 12, 2010 - 13:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Heritage party has organized a picket in front of the RA Constitutional Court premises.

As a PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent reports from the scene, the protesters demonstratively burn leaflets reading, "No to Armenian-Turkish Protocols and Madrid Principles". People are holding posters featuring the maps of Armenia and Great Armenia. One of demonstrators tore apart a picture of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan, Head of RA Police Alik Sargsyan.

Party members also submitted to the court a statement demanding to recognize Armenian-Turkish Protocols unconstitutional.

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.

Heritage

Founded in 2002, Heritage a National Liberal Party, is national by its roots, liberal in its economic principle, and an advocate of the democratic system of governance and due process for its citizens. The party’s objective is the development of Armenia as a democratic, lawful, and rights-based country that anchors its domestic and foreign policies in the nation’s sovereign interest. During the party’s Third Congress on May 30, 2005, Raffi K. Hovannisian was elected chairman. The other eight members of the party board were elected by secret vote. Since 2009, the party chairman is Armen Martirosyan.