RA NSC backs Armenian-Turkish Protocols

PanARMENIAN.Net - On October 8, President Serzh Sargsyan conducted an enlarged session of National Security Council (NSC). Apart from NSC members, meeting was also attended by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, Chair of Public Council Vazgen Manukyan and Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan. Discussion focused on the current stage of Armenian-Turkish process and Armenia's upcoming steps in that direction. Parties summed up results of public discussions and President's tour to big Armenian communities.



"It time to sum up the results of six-day public discussion over Armenian-Turkish ties and my all-Armenian tour. It was important for us to listen to all possible approaches and get all possible recommendations over the issue. I think succeeded in our efforts," President said in his opening speech. He further noted that discussions in Diaspora were very important from the viewpoint of tactical and strategic planning at every stage, including signature, ratification and implementation of Protocols.



"Armenia has all resources to mobilize and use Diaspora's potential," Armenian leader said, adding that he had additional chance to reiterate that Protocols could be viewed as documents reflecting Armenia's position on Karabakh settlement. "I reiterated our approach to conflict settlement - determination of NKR's legal status through people's free will expression. It's very important that U.S. President Barack Obama once again confirmed it during a phone conversation in Los Angeles," Sargsyan noted, adding that he would never make unilateral concession with regard to the issue.



Touching on international recognition of Genocide, President said that Yerevan had undertaken relevant commitments that needed full implementation. "Setting territorial claims is not the best start for normalizing relations. 21st century political culture has its requirements we need to consider. Armenian-Turkish relations are a broader notion than Armenia-Turkey ties," Sargsyan said.



Afterwards, National Security Council went on to discuss current stage of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. All participants expressed support to Armenian-Turkish Protocols, RA President's press service reports.