Ken Hachikian: it would be better if Armenia terminates Armenian-Turkish Protocols

May 10, 2010 - 20:13 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Ken Hachikian said that ANCA is pleased with the decision of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to suspend the process of ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.

“However, it would be much better if Serzh Sargsyan terminates the Protocols,” Hachikian said. According to him, the Armenian President’s decision to suspend the Protocols didn't take much courage, because Turkey has already introduced preconditions.

Hachikian added that the Armenian President suddenly acknowledged that and decided to suspend them. “In my opinion, Serzh Sargsyan’s step seemed to be a show rather than substance,” he said.

According to Hachikian, Ankara’s main precondition is the Karabakh conflict settlement. “I don't believe there will be a short-term settlement on Karabakh. So, right now Turkey is unlikely to ratify the Protocols,” he said.

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.