Protocols ratification and implementation- necessary condition to unleash Armenia’s potential

February 17, 2010 - 17:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
If Turkey-Armenia rapprochement, initiated by Armenia, supported by the most influential actors of the international arena, namely Russia, USA and EU that led to the signature of bilateral protocols on 10 October 2009 were to succeed, it would deeply transform and enhance the strategic posture of both Armenia and Turkey. Moreover, its spill-over effect would have the potential to firmly stabilize the region and turn it into a vibrant pole of global economy, Dr. Sargis Ghazaryan , Senior Research Fellow at European Friends of Armenia organization told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“In the recent history of Armenia, strategically important decisions over political and macro-economic planning and vision of Armenia’s very identity have all been shaped by its hostile geopolitical environment in terms of armed conflicts, galloping race of arms, war rhetoric, competition for hegemony, closed borders, illegal and unilateral embargoes and lack viable mechanisms for regional cooperation. While the degree of regional segmentation is high in the region, the degree of security is alarmingly low.

The ratification of the protocols and full implementation of their provisions are a necessary condition to overcome geography and to unleash the real potential of Armenia and eventually, of the South Caucasus. The success of such a process can put an end to nationalism and populism and boost diversity, multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism.

I think that we are witnessing the genesis of one of the most unprecedented and epochal transformations that the South Caucasus and the wider geopolitical macro-region have undergone in the last century. Armenia is contributing, in good faith, to the transformation into reality of such a process that only a few years ago political analysts and commentators would call utopia.

It’s up to the Turkish leadership, now, to prove its commitment to this process, without using preconditions and pretexts to derail it. After all, it’s about the very credibility of Turkey as a member of the International Community and a candidate to EU membership,” Sargis Ghazaryan stated.

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.