Turkey gains from situation with protocols, in contrast to Armenia - ARFD

May 13, 2011 - 14:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Instead of waiting for Turkey's reply, Armenia must withdraw the signature from the protocols, the director of the ARF bureau's Hay Dat and political affairs office stated.

As Kiro Manoyan told a news conference in Yerevan, Turkey is only gaining from current situation with protocols, in contrast to Armenia.

“Protocols contain two clauses interpreted by several countries in the same way Turkey does it,” Manoyan said.

According to him, U.S., Great Britain, and Sweden have similar idea about the purpose of the historic subcommittee creation. “The countries believe the subcommittee must take up discussion of the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide. Besides, U.S., as well as Turkey, believe that thorough protocols, Armenia recognizes the existing Armenian-Turkish border. However, by doing so, these countries do not consider the statements of the Armenian side, specifically made by President Serzh Sargsyan,” Manoyan said.

He also added that clauses in question allow Turkey to set Karabakh issue-related preconditions.

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.