RA CC resolution on protocols political maneuver

January 13, 2010 - 14:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The protocols on normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey do conflict with the RA Constitution, according to Ara Papian, head of Modus Vivendi center.

"The resolution of the Constitutional Court was rather political and juridical," he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. "It reads that the commitments both countries undertake are bilateral and have nothing to do with relations with third states. It's notable that the CC underlined that international agreements can have legal force only in case of their conformity to the international law. So, if Treaties of Alexandropol, Moscow and Kars are invalid in terms of the international law, these protocols possess no legal force for Armenia."

"I believe that ratification of the protocols are not in the interests of the Armenian nation," Mr. Papian concluded.

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.