RA Foreign Ministry: Armenia-Turkey committee formation possible after Protocols ratification

March 23, 2010 - 14:54 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rapprochement Protocols, signed in Zurich, stipulate for formation of Armenia-Turkey historic committee upon both parliaments' ratification of documents, RA Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan said.

Commenting on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement on historic committee formation being in progress, he noted: "Not until Protocols are ratified will steps envisaging normalization of ties and opening of Armenia-Turkey border be taken."

"Formation of historic committee is in progress," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during the Interview with Vladimir Pozner on Russia's Channel One.

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.

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.