Ara Papyan: Armenian-Turkish Protocols contain a lot of flaws
«I have several times estimated Armenian-Turkish Protocols inadequate,» said historian and diplomat Ara Papyan, Head of Modus vivendi organization. Clause 10 of the Protocol «On the Establishment of Diplomatic Ties between Armenia and Turkey» envisages exchange of diplomatic missions. Such wording, which seems inoffensive at first sight, «enables Turkey to establish de jure diplomatic relations, reducing de facto productivity to zero,» diplomat finds.
According to him, absence of clear-cut wording on opening diplomatic missions allows Turkey to reject Armenia's further requests for opening Embassy in Ankara. In that regard, Papyan referred to Turkey's agreement with United States and Ukraine, where exchange of embassies is an unacceptable term between parties. «Not specifying diplomatic representatives' rank, we allow for restrictions in the process,» Papyan noted.
The expert finds that if Protocols had been signed with any other country, there's be no reason for concern. «Historical experience with Turkey forces us to be more calculating and far-sighted,» he stressed.
According to him, absence of clear-cut wording on opening diplomatic missions allows Turkey to reject Armenia's further requests for opening Embassy in Ankara. In that regard, Papyan referred to Turkey's agreement with United States and Ukraine, where exchange of embassies is an unacceptable term between parties. «Not specifying diplomatic representatives' rank, we allow for restrictions in the process,» Papyan noted.
The expert finds that if Protocols had been signed with any other country, there's be no reason for concern. «Historical experience with Turkey forces us to be more calculating and far-sighted,» he stressed.
