Advancement of H. Res. 252 is US congress will induce Ankara to make a step towards Protocols ratificationMarch 5, 2010 - 17:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Advancement of H. Res. 252 in US congress will possibly induce Ankara to make a step towards Protocols ratification, according to Turkologist Artak Shakaryan. “In case resolution is put up for discussion at US Congress, Turkey can either ratify Protocols or adopt them at parliamentary committee level,” he told a news conference in Yerevan, noting that Turkey would find it easier to open the border with Armenia (which could be closed any moment), than to initiate diplomatic relations with Yerevan. If resolution remains adopted at US House Foreign Affairs Committee level only, no progress in Protocols ratification is to be expected, the Turkologist stated. He emphasized the importance of RA Foreign Ministry –US Armenian Lobby collaboration to achieve advancement of H. Res. 252 in US Congress. In his opinion, the possibility of resolution passage in 2010 is higher than it was in 2007, taking into consideration November 2010 Congress elections, where Congressmen will need the support of US Armenian community. Dwelling on Ankara’s policy in Genocide recognition issue, Artak Shakaryan disagreed with the necessity of inducing Turkey to recognize the Genocide. “Armenia must become a state Turkey would be interested to reconcile with,” he stressed. The Armenian Genocide resolution The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate. 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. Top stories Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |