Turkish Foreign Minister: Normalisation process can not continue unless Armenia alters its position

February 9, 2010 - 16:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Armenia does not show favorable intentions towards realization of the Ankara-Yerevan protocols.

During the meeting with his Armenian counterpart in London, Davutoglu expressed concern over Armenian Constitutional Court's amendments to the protocols.

"The Armenian Constitutional Court's decision is not constructive, bringing relations between the two countries back to the initial level," he added.

He said the process can not continue unless Armenia agrees to reconsider its non-constructive position.

Regarding upcoming vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, scheduled by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Howard Berman for March 4th, Davutoglu said that by raising this issue Armenia puts obstacles in the way of normalization process, Trend News reported.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan addressed a message to his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

The message says,

“Our initiative aimed at normalization of bilateral relations holds attention of the international community. This is a historic moment for all, indeed. The efforts the countries engaged in regional processes exert to help improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations are indispensable. I am confident that it wouldn’t be possible to move forward without their support. At the same time, I believe no matter how interested friendly states might be in a positive resolution of the impasse, there are certain things that can be done only by our two nations.

Mr. President,

I hope you will agree that the Armenian and Turkish peoples assign the main task of getting rid of the stereotypes regarding each other and establishment of the atmosphere of mutual trust to their respective governments. We can achieve results only if there is trust, resolve and unfaltering stance. A situation when words are not supported by deeds gives rise to mistrust and skepticism, providing ample opportunities to counteract for those, who oppose the process. We should be mindful of the fact that in this particular case, the time is working not for but against the process.

If until now we have been able to bring our bilateral relations up to a level which made the prospects of building normal relations between our two countries more tangible and discernible, now the time has come to manifest determination to make next major step and leave to the coming generations a stable and secure region.”

The Armenian Genocide resolution

The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.

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.