Protocols on Armenian-Turkish normalization still on RA NA agenda

April 26, 2010 - 12:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan has said that the Protocols on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations are still on the parliament’s agenda.

“The Protocols have been removed from the four-day session agenda only,” he said.

On April 22, RA President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on suspension of the process of ratification of Protocols on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations signed in Zurich on October 10, 2009.

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.