Armenian-Turkish dialogue in crisis

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The Armenian-Turkish dialogue is in crisis, according to Alexander Iskandaryan, director of Caucasus Institute.



“Normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is not an easy task, with major problems originating in Ankara,” he told a news conference on Monday.



“Turkish officials make contradicting statements, what testifies of domestic tensions. Ratification of protocols has become a hotly-debated internal political issue,” Mr. Iskandaryan emphasized.



As to ratification terms, he said, “Experts often mention April 24 as a reasonable date, forecasts being mostly conditioned the US presidential address on the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day. I do not anchor hopes with Barack Obama’s April 24 address. Anyway, reasonable terms are measured with months not years.”



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.