William Burns: Turkey is our ally

February 19, 2010 - 13:35 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
During a visit to Ankara, William Burns, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, highlighted, “Turkey is our ally, and U.S. support the rapprochement process between Turkey and Armenia and in searching ways to resolve the world and regional problems.”

In Turkey, Mr. Burns had a meeting with Foreign Minister Davutoglu, Deputy Chief of Defense, General Aslan Guner, and Foreign Ministry Under Secretary Feridun Sinirlioglu.

“Our meetings were quite productive and extensive and covered a number of regional issues of mutual concern. Foremost among these issues were the international community's concern over Iran's nuclear program, our cooperation in Afghanistan and Iraq, our common interest in promoting Arab-Israeli peace, our shared commitment in the fight against terrorism,” William Burns said.

He also mentioned that the efforts of the Minsk Group for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict were discussed.

William Burns' visit aims at expediting the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols in Turkey's parliament, according to CNN-Turk.

After his visit to Ankara, the U.S. official will head for Azerbaijan, where he’ll meet with the country’s leadership.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

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.