Armenian-Turkish protocols beneficial for Ankara

March 25, 2010 - 13:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The protocols on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations are beneficial to Ankara, a member of Social Democrat Hunchakian Party said.

"Turkey has been imposing conditions on Armenia for years. Now, with the protocols fully complying with its interests, Ankara demands more and more," Gurgen Yeghiazaryan told a news conference in Yerevan on Thursday.

"The protocols contain numerous preconditions. Signing them and acceding to formation of a commission of historians, Armenia agreed to discuss the fact of the Armenian Genocide," he said.

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.