September 17, 2009 - 18:12 AMT
Armenian-Turkish protocols could become Kars agreement extension
"We can't go back to the same relations we had before protocols' publication, and I believe there's no need to do so," ex NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan told a news conference in Yerevan. According to him, if signed, Armenian-Turkish protocols could become an extension of Kars agreement.

"Kars agreement stipulates for acknowledgement of borders between Turkey and 3 Caucasian states: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. At present, only the point stipulating for RA-Turkish borders is being observed by default. First, Yerevan should annul Kars agreement, and later continue negotiating RA -Turkish rapprochement." Arman Melikyan stated, adding that neither Azerbaijan or Georgia acknowledged borders with Turkey, thus automatically annulling the agreement. Refusing to observe Kars agreement, Azerbaijan refused Nakhichevan, as, legally, it does not belong to Azerbaijan territory.

"Only Armenia keeps following the Agreement, which even Turkey does not acknowledge. Everything both courtiers are trying to achieve through Protocols, including normalization and development of ties, is already specified by Kars agreement," Arman Melikayn noted.

According to him, by refusing to acknowledge Kars agreement and sign the Protocols, Armenia will find itself under Turkey's influence. "I don't want such fate to befall our country. We have to clarify our relations with Turkey and finally free ourselves from "ghosts of past"," Arman Melikyan said.