RA People’s Party leader supports preservation of status quo in Karabakh

February 13, 2010 - 13:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
RA People’s Party leader Tigran Karapetyan spoke in support of Karabakh status quo preservation in the issue of NKR-Azerbaijan conflict.

“Status quo in NKR will keep superpowers’ interest focused on the region. Final settlement of conflict will take the influence of US over to Caspian Sea” he told a news conference, adding, “Russia seeks to expand collaboration with RA, to curb strengthening of Washington’s influence in Armenia.”

Commenting on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement issue, RA People’s Party leader expressed his doubts about Turkey’s ratification of Protocols. “Ankara’s far-reaching aims lie in promotion of pan Turkism ideology, which can be sabotaged in case Azerbaijan’s interests are opposed.”

Tigran Karapetyan characterized Serzh Sargsyan’s statement on the readiness to invite his Azeri counterpart to possible ceremony of Armenia-Turkey border opening as a clever diplomatic move. “The question is whether Aliyev will agree to attend the ceremony, as the day of opening will probably turn into a mourning day to Azerbaijan,” RA PP leader concluded.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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.