Upper Lars opening to let Armenia make a pause in process with Turkey

March 9, 2010 - 18:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian-Turkish process is in stagnation, according to a Russian expert.

“Opening of Upper Lars checkpoint will let Armenia not only develop economy but also make a pause in the process with Turkey,” Sergey Markedonov, the head of the interethnic relations department at Moscow's Institute of Political and Military Analysis, said Tuesday during Yerevan-Moscow-Tbilisi space bridge on opening of Upper Lars checkpoint in the light of Russian-Georgian-Armenian relations.

As to adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the US House panel, Mr. Markedinov said the motion is not a novelty. “I do not think that the U.S. Congress or the Obama will support the resolution. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is dispute between rationalism and so-called diplomatic internationalism. These two approaches will continue co-existing,” he said.

The Armenian Genocide resolution

The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.

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.