Syria willing to mediate between Armenia and Turkey

March 23, 2010 - 12:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday expressed his country's willingness to "play a role in building common ground for relations between Armenia and Turkey," in light of Damascus' good relationship with both of Ankara and Yerevan.

Al-Assad made the remarks in a joint press conference with visiting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan who started a three-day official visit to Damascus on Monday.

The two leaders held talks on bilateral relations as well as the latest developments of conditions in the Middle East and Caucasus regions.

President Assad described the visit of his Armenian counterpart as a "milestone following my visit to Yerevan", in pushing forward the Syrian-Armenian relations.

President Sargsyan said, for his part, that Armenia highly appreciates its relations with Syria, describing the relations as "cordial and warm".

The Syrian President reiterated that it is necessary to overcome all differences between Armenia and Turkey, resorting to dialogue as to continue the process of confidence building, hailing Sargsyan's decision to develop relations with Turkey as "courageous based on a far-sighted vision". Al-Assad also affirmed Syria's willingness to help build a "common ground" to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations in the interest of the region's security and stability.

Referring to Armenia's relations with Turkey, Sargsyan told reporters that "the solution to conflicts and crisis could be through peace talks and dialogues", noting Armenia is working seriously for peace in South Caucasus region.

The two leaders also expressed satisfaction with the bilateral relations and voice their desire to expand mutual cooperation in all fields, News Essentials reported.

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.