Alexander Iskandaryan: Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is a process initiated by major actors

February 18, 2010 - 16:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The Armenian-Turkish rapprochement process hit a deadlock after the announcement of the RA Constitutional Court’s ruling, according to Alexander Iskandaryan, director of Caucasus Institute.

“The possibility of ratification of the Protocols by the Turkish parliament is waning,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“House Resolution 252 can be used as an extra political leverage on Turkey,” he said. “The Armenian-Turkish reconciliation is a process initiated by major actors – Russia, U.S. and EU.”

Mr. Iskandaryan also said that Armenia can ratify the Protocols ahead of Turkey, thus putting Ankara in awkward position.

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.