February 1, 2010 - 18:00 AMT
Turkish diplomat will express dissatisfaction with Yerevan in Washington and Bern


To prevent Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process disruption, Ankara intends to send diplomats to US and Switzerland. As NTV Turkish news channel reported citing diplomatic sources, the diplomat will present Ankara’s concerns over RA Constitutional Court’s ruling on rapprochement Protocols, urging US and Swiss authorities to undertake steps to prevent process disruption.

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues working at legal document, expressing Ankara’s concerns over RA CC ruling. The document is to be addressed to Armenia, US, Russia, France and Switzerland.

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 “the decision 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.