Relations with Yerevan to be discussed at Turkey's Cabinet meeting

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Cabinet of Ministers, headed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold a meeting in Ankara to discuss domestic and foreign policy events. The meeting will also focus on the process of democratic reforms and recent tensions between Ankara and Yerevan, according to Turkish media reports. 



The strain between Yerevan and Ankara emerged after the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the resolution of the RA Constitutional Court on Armenian-Turkish Protocols .



Commenting on the decision of the Armenian Constitutional Court, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the decision 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.



Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian held phone talks with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu to seek clarification on the statement on January 20. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that if the RA Constitutional Court does not reconsider its decision, the negotiation process between Yerevan and Ankara will hit a dead end.



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.