U.S. believes that Armenian-Turkish normalization will bring peace, stability and prosperity to region

July 4, 2010 - 23:10 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. believes that the Armenian-Turkish normalization will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region. The steps taken to this end will contribute to the normalization of relations between the two states, said Hillary Clinton during a joint briefing with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan.

"Though the Protocols have not been ratified yet, but President Sargsyan stated that Armenia is ready to continue talks with Turkey as soon as it makes a step forward, and we hail this statement. The U.S. agrees with this point of view, and we estimate positively the Armenian leadership's statement," stressed Clinton.

For his part, Edward Nalbandian noted that Armenia is ready for a dialogue with Turkey without preconditions as soon as Ankara is ready for it.

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.