Turkish opposition criticize agreement signed between Yerevan and Ankara

PanARMENIAN.Net - Opposition parties of Turkey have criticized an agreement signed between Turkey and Armenia on Saturday to establish diplomatic relations by describing the move a "step backward" in Turkish foreign policy.



Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen said that the protocol signed in Zurich is evidence that Turkey has taken a step back in its fundamental foreign policy regarding Armenia for the past 17 years.|



Indicating that a process of normalization with Armenia "can only take place if Armenia withdraws from Azerbaijani territory", Oymen argued that Turkey had made unilateral concessions with the agreement. "There will be great pressure in Turkey following these signatures because the protocol texts include articles about Turkey opening its border and establishing diplomatic ties, but there is not even the slightest sign that Armenia will withdraw from the territories it invaded. There is not the slightest reference to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute," Oymen said.



Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said the day the agreement was signed was a "black day." He said protocols signed with Armenia were not based on reciprocity and that they were not equal and balanced.



Felicity Party (SP) leader Numan Kurtulmus, also joined the critics of the protocol, describing it a "historic mistake." He said this issue first being handled in Parliament, which represents the will of the nation, was the necessity of democratic ethics. "The [Justice and Development Party] AK Party's concessive attitude under the cover of its 'zero problems policy' not only undermines Turkish foreign policy, it also casts a shadow over Turkey's prestige," Kurtulmus, said, reported Today's Zaman.