Sharmazanov not rule out RA NA can introduce clauses to the Protocols

January 12, 2010 - 19:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
"The decision of the RA Constitutional Court makes it clear that the court conducted a thorough study of the signed Armenian-Turkish signed Protocols and took into account the views and factual materials of the opposition forces, including the legal statement of the ARF (Dashnaktsutyun)," Edward Sharmazanov, Secretary of the parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) told reporters.

According to him, the decision of RA Constitutional Court highlights three things: obligations coming from the Protocols relate only to Armenia and Turkey, but not any third country, the documents do not envisage the settlement of disputed issues between the two countries, since for that purpose the parties must conclude new agreements. "Finally, Protocols could not be interpreted as contradicting to Armenian Constitution and the Declaration of Independence of Armenia", Sharmazanov said.

According to him, the Declaration of Independence of Armenia clearly states that Armenia should be consistent in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Sharmazanov did not rule out that the RA NA can introduce clauses to the Protocols. "However, the Republican Party has clearly expressed its position on the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, claiming that documents have no preconditions, and Armenia unilaterally did not take on any commitments," he stressed.

The party has made a significant contribution to the work of the Coordinating Council of volunteer militias, helping to establish the rule of law and order in the republic, and after the formation of a regular national army in Armenia Armenian Republican Party declared about its demilitarization.

In July 2006, the 10th extraordinary congress of the party declared the Republican Party of Armenia as National Conservative Party. Chairman of the party up to 1997 was Ashot Navasardyan, between 1997 and 2005 - Andranik Margaryan. At present, the party is headed by the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

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.

The Republican Party of Armenia

The Republican Party of Armenia is a national conservative political party in Armenia. It was the first political party in independent Armenia to be founded (2 April 1990) and registered (14 May 1991). It is the largest party of the centre-right in Armenia, and claims to have 140,000 members. The party controls most government bodies in Armenia.

At the 2003 parliamentary elections on May 25, the party received 23.5% of the popular vote, winning 31 out of 131 seats. At the last parliamentary elections on May 12, 2007, the party received 33.91% of the popular vote, winning 64 out of 131 seats. The former prime minister, Andranik Markaryan, was the leader of the party. Current President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, is the chairman of HHK board.

The Republican Party's national conservative ideology is based on tsegakron, an early 20th century Armenian nationalist ideology (roughly translated as "nation-religion"). It was formulated by Garegin Njdeh and holds that the Armenian national identity and state should carry religious significance for all ethnic Armenians.