Political forces demand from RA President that he terminate Armenian-Turkish process

April 22, 2010 - 18:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - A meeting of 14 political parties opposing to the Armenian-Turkish Protocols was held in Yerevan on April 22. The meeting participants adopted a joint statement, presenting their stance on the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement.

The statement specifically reads that the meeting participants demand from the RA President that he terminate the process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and withdraw signature under the Protocols. “We demand from the Armenian parliament that it adopt a draft law defining a criminal liability for the Armenian Genocide denial.” If their demands are not met, the political forces opposing to the Protocols are ready to struggle against the threats to Armenia’s national interests by all means within the RA laws.

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.