Thorbjorn Jagland: A number of obstacles remain for Armenia-Turkey rapprochement

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Armenia-Turkey rapprochement process has so far been reassuring, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland stated. He didn’t venture to predict further development of events, refusing to give forecasts as to Protocols ratification. Normalization of ties between Armenia and Turkey might take a lot of time, he noted.



“A number of obstacles remain for Armenia-Turkey rapprochement. Yet, the first step was taken, which I’m sure won’t be the last,” Jagland said.





CE Secretary General expressed hope for increased role of Turkey in the region, as well as Europe. “Turkey’s internal policy aims to increase social and cultural rights of national minorities, which has to be reflected in the updated constitution,” CNNTurk cited him as saying.





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.

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