Yerevan hosts Armenian-Turkish negotiations

April 7, 2010 - 17:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian received Special Envoy of the Turkish Prime Minister and Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu, who arrived in Yerevan on April 7. Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations was in the focus of discussion.

The Armenian Minister confirmed the international community's position, which states that Armenian-Turkish normalization and ratification of Protocols should take place without preconditions. Mr. Nalbandian noted that efficient steps are expected from Turkey, RA MFA press office reported.

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.