LDP: Armenian-Turkish protocols frozen

March 23, 2010 - 16:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The protocols on normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations are frozen, according to Cem Toker, the leader of Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) of Turkey.

"Ankara is unlikely to ratify the protocols. Linkage to the Karabakh process, Armenian Constitutional Court's ruling and the resolutions adopted recently by the US House panel and Swedish parliament almost nullified the possibility of ratification," the Turkish politician said, adding that despite possible failure of the protocols, the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations should not be suspended.

"The border between the two countries should be opened," he said.

Commenting on adoption of the Armenian genocide resolution by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Toker said it will hardly be put on the House floor. He said he acknowledges the "atrocities" committed in 1915 but he has not shaped his opinion on "whether they constituted a genocide". Nevertheless, the Turkish politician attended the Armenian Genocide Memorial to commemorate the innocent victims.

As to Turkey's aspiration to mediate for Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, he said he doesn't rule out that "after the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Turkey may act as an intermediary."

Asked to comment on Turkish Prime Minister's recent statement on deportation of illegal Armenian workers, Mr. Token labeled it as inadmissible.

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.