Eduard Sharmazanov: Tukey’s statements are not of value

April 22, 2010 - 17:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary group Eduard Sharmazanov said that despite Turkey’s aspiration to link the Armenian-Turkish process to the Karabakh conflict settlement, the world powers have repeatedly stated that these are different processes.

According to Mr. Sharmazanov, the international community should make its conclusions after Turkey’s contradictory statements, as its position has served as a reason for Armenia to freeze the Armenian-Turkish process.

“It should be noted that Turkey’s statements are not of value, as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared in Washington about Turkey’s willingness to continue the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement without preconditions, but later he spoke about the border’s opening only after surrender of two regions around NKR,” he said.

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.