Armenian Parliament not to discuss Protocols until they are ratified by Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Traditionally, some of the political forces of Armenia, and most importantly, representatives of the coalition government voiced criticism about Turkey. This week Member of the faction ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan was the first. He called to join efforts to ensure positive outcome of the ratification process. He also criticized the position of those political figures who are trying to instill discrepancy in the form of advancement of the ratification process. “Instead of supporting this movement, people are trying to deliver a blow to it, using all sorts of methods in pursuit of personal, political or other benefits, not realizing that it has a negative effect on our national interests,” Minasyan declared.

On February 8, the interdepartmental working group on developing food security in Armenia met to discuss food security issues. The meeting was chaired by Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) of Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan. According to the decision of the National Security Council and the order of the President of Armenia, food security concept must be developed and submitted for approval in the first half of 2010. Emphasizing the importance of food security, Artur Baghdasaryan noted it is necessary to develop a concept that would address the problem of food provision throughout the country, both in ordinary conditions and in emergency and crisis situations.

Tuesday, February 9, President Serzh Sargsyan addressed a message to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, urging him to bring bilateral relations up to a level where “the prospects of building normal relations between the two countries become more tangible and discernible”, and "the time has come to manifest determination to make next major step and leave to the coming generations a stable and secure region.” The President of Armenia underlined that results can be achieved only if there is trust, resolve and unfaltering stance. “A situation when words are not supported by deeds gives rise to mistrust and skepticism, providing ample opportunities to counteract for those, who oppose the process. We should be mindful of the fact that in this particular case, the time is working not for but against the process,” Sargsyan said in the letter.

On the same day representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia, “Prosperous Armenia” and “Heritage” commented on the Armenian President’s message sent to Abdullah Gul. According to Leader of the Heritage parliamentary group Stepan Safaryan, the Armenian President seeks to assure the Armenian public that the leadership sees no problems in the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and is ready to move forward. Another viewpoint was expressed by Member of the “Prosperous Armenia” parliamentary faction Naira Zohrabyan. According to her, the letter is a certain message addressed to the international community, trying to show that Armenia stays true to the rules of the game and is ready to establish relations with Turkey without any preconditions. A similar view was expressed by Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia parliamentary faction Eduard Sharmazanov, who believes that the President’s letter is a signal for the powers involved in regional processes to positively affect the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.

Wednesday, February 10, began with a critical assessment of the process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. According to expert at the Armenian Center of Political and International Studies Ruben Mehrabyan, the “football diplomacy” proved inefficient, and “No matter how often politicians reiterate that Nagorno-Karbakh conflict settlement process in not interconnected with the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation, the linkage is obvious.” “Armenia has still a lot to lose from this process,” said the political scientist, adding that the exchange of offences between Yerevan and Ankara are crossing the borders of decency.

On the same day RA President’s message received comments from ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group Leader Vahan Hovhannisyan. According to him, “President Sargsyan made the Turkish side fear from a possible failure of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, and freed Armenia of responsibility for it”.

In the evening Armenian President’s speech given in Chatham House, the British Royal Institute of International Affairs, received a high response. The President touched upon almost all aspects of the foreign policy of Armenia: Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict, Genocide recognition, regional security and international cooperation. For the first time from an international rostrum there were voiced facts without sleek diplomatic language at the level of a head of state. “We have to realize that the people of Karabakh consider that they have managed, on the one hand, to restore historical justice distorted during Stalin’s dictatorship, and, on the other, to safeguard the minimum conditions necessary for their physical survival. It is with this realization that we continue the talks with Azerbaijan and perceive the peace process and the efforts of the mediators,” the Armenian leader said.

Serzh Sargsyan once again stressed that in the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Armenia rules out any concessions, which would call into question the physical existence and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, and their right to a noble life.

Thursday, February 11, the Government of Armenia met to approve the RA draft law “On Making Addenda to RA law on international treaties”. Under this law, signer of the contract has the right not to become a party to the treaty, clearly stating about his/her intention any time before the treaty enters into force. In the prescribed manner the bill will be submitted to the National Assembly of Armenia.

Friday, February 12, the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce together with the Foundation for Political Studies and in association with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia organized a public debate on “Armenian-Turkish relations and cross-border regionalism”. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch attended the debate. As the Armenian Prime Minister noted, now Turkey and Armenia have a unique chance to improve relations, since this is the case when stances of all the superpowers coincide. In her turn, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch stressed, “No one forgets the past, but it is necessary to look into the future. No country should depend on a single transport corridor”.

On the same day ARFD reiterated its negative attitude to the approaching ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. At a press conference in Yerevan, Kiro Manoyan, Director of ARF Bureau’s Central office of Hay Dat, stated that Armenia should immediately declare the failure of normalization process with Turkey. The longer the process lasts the more likely Turkey is to impose its conditions on Armenia, Manoyan believes. “Turkey seeks progress in Karabakh conflict settlement but serious progress is not to be expected in the near future. The Protocols are leverage in the hands of Ankara, and she can make use of them in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” said Director of Hay Dat.

On Friday Head of RPA parliamentary group Galust Sahakyan declared that on the same day Armenian-Turkish Protocols would be submitted to the RA National Assembly. According to him, it is a mere procedure and the National Assembly of Armenia will not discuss the Protocols until the Turkish Parliament ratifies them. At the same time touching upon ratification of the Protocols by Ankara, Sahakyan said the reasonable period of time has long expired. “Our patience wears thin. If Turkey goes on at that rate, signatures will be recalled,” stressed Sahakyan.

On February 12, RA National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan met with CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha in Yerevan. The meeting centered on Armenia-CSTO collaboration issues. The parties also emphasized the importance of cooperation in military-technical, IT, and anti-trafficking spheres.