U.S. will be disappointed if Armenian-Turkish Protocols ratification fails

PanARMENIAN.Net -
If Ankara does not step towards ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols by late March, the process will gradually become more complicated, David Phillips, chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission (TARC) in 2001-2004 said in Yerevan, when commenting on the possibility of ratifying the Protocols by April 24 (the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day).



As the expert noted, although no terms were set for ratification of the protocols, there is actually a deadline, after which the goodwill disappears. "Everybody understands that the current process of Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and the ratification of the Protocols can not last forever," he said.



According to Mr. Phillips, no linkage should be seen between ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and recognition of the Armenian Genocide.



“I think the United States will be disappointed if ratification fails. The U.S. had a key role in this dialogue and the Obama administration will urge Ankara to ratify the Protocols. Although Turks like saying that they never do anything under pressure, but based on my experience with the Turks, I can state the opposite,” he said.



David L. Phillips was the Chairman of TARC in 2001-2004. The commission failed over Turkey’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide and avoid meddling with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process.



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.