Vahan Hovhannisyan: Armenian-Turkish process awakened Armenian mentality![]() May 1, 2010 - 14:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The ARF Dashnaktsutyun never opposed normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, an ARFD Bureau member said. “It’s a long process consisting of three stages. First, it should be establishment of diplomatic relations and opening of the border. Second stage could imply discussion of urgent problems. Then, the sides would be able to sign some agreements,” Vahan Hovhannisyan said during a meeting with Villeurbanne Mayor Jean-Paul Bret. “Turkey managed to combine all these stages in one and it was Armenia’s diplomatic failure. We are hopeful that our diplomats will correct this mistake,” he said. At the same time, Mr. Hovhannisyan noted that the Armenian-Turkish process awakened Armenian mentality. “Political forces speak not only of the necessity of recognition of the Armenian Genocide but also of compensation for its consequences,” he said. Mr. Bret said for his part that dragging out the process of ratification of Protocols on normalization of relations, Turkey has badly damaged its international image. “Turkey seems to screen its secret policy by these Protocols,” he said. He also informed that a delegation led by him will be visiting Nagorno Karabakh on May 2 and 3, while a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is scheduled for May 4. ![]() ![]() The Armenian Genocide The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million. 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. ![]() ![]() Grigoryan added that the situation around the world and particularly in the region is very difficult. The Armenian Defense Ministry has denied Azerbaijan's accusations of violating the ceasefire. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |