U.S. calls on Armenia, Turkey to keep the door open

April 23, 2010 - 11:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon has commented on Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s April 22 address to the nation.

"We note President Sargsyan’s announcement that Armenia will suspend the discussion of the protocols in its National Assembly. President Sargsyan’s announcement makes clear that Armenia has not ended the process but has suspended it until the Turkish side is ready to move forward. We applaud President Sargsyan's decision to continue to work towards a vision of peace, stability, and reconciliation,” Mr. Gordon said.

“We believe that the normalization process carries important benefits for Turkey and Armenia as well as the wider Caucasus region. We continue to urge both sides to keep the door open to pursuing efforts at reconciliation and normalization."

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.