Heritage party believes changes in Armenia’s foreign policy important

February 17, 2010 - 17:26 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Karabakh issue can’t be resolved until it’s handled from legal viewpoint, according to Heritage parliamentary group secretary Larisa Alaverdyan.

At news conference in Yerevan, Mrs. Alaverdyan welcomed RA Foreign Minister’s statement where he raised the issue of Martakert, Martuni and Shahumyan regions. “It’s important that the Foreign Minister’s statement will spur further actions,” she said.

Referring to RA President’s speech in Chatham House, Heritage parliamentary group secretary noted that only changes in foreign policy of Armenia can prove its true meaning. “During his presidency, Robert Kocharian made a brilliant speech on Artsakh in Strasburg. And Madrid Principles were concluded after that speech,” she emphasized.

Larisa Alaverdyan considers February 16 meeting between NKR President Bako Sahakyan and OSCE Chairman a step forward towards Artsakh’s involvement in negotiations.

Commenting on the possibility of ratification of Armenia-Turkey Protocols in the RA NA, she noted that instead of suggesting reservations, Heritage will submit a draft resolution on withdrawal from Protocols’ ratification.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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.