Discussion of Armenian-Turkish Protocols to be held in Moscow

March 8, 2010 - 13:05 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The fourth meeting of Armenian Youth Community of Intellectual Interaction SIVAM Discussion Club will be held in Moscow on March 13 and will be dedicated to the topic of Armenian-Turkish Protocols. Two speakers - opponents, Vardan Marashlyan and Henry Sardaryan, will address their speeches and will try to convince the audience their positions each. Armenian Youth Community of Intellectual Interaction SIVAM jointly with the Armenian Community of Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations (MGIMO) are organizers of the event, Miasin.Ru reported.

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.