Armenian-Turkish normalization not related to Karabakh settlement

February 24, 2010 - 19:28 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
Armenia's position remains unchanged: Armenian-Turkish normalization is not related to the Karabakh settlement. This was reiterated by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian during the ‘government hour’ at the National Assembly of Armenia.

"We started negotiations with Turkey and signed Protocols, which contained not a single word on the Karabakh settlement. Intermediary countries stick to the same view. These issues are not linked and cannot be linked to each other, " Nalbandyan said.

According to him, If Turkey now lays down preconditions, it the business of Turkish government with all consequences.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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.