RA parliamentary majority stands for dampening Armenian-Turkish process

April 22, 2010 - 13:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The political majority of the Armenian National Assembly rates as unacceptable the latest statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who keeps linking ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols to resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The joint statement issued by political councils of the coalition parties reads: “Turkey’s unwillingness to ratify the Protocols without preconditions and within reasonable terms makes continuation of the ratification process in RA NA senseless. We consider it necessary to dampen the process and to remove the issue from the agenda until the Turkish side agrees to continue the dialogue without preconditions.”

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.