Armenian parliamentary committee on foreign affairs discusses Armenian-Turkish Protocols

February 19, 2010 - 14:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The RA parliamentary committee on foreign affairs held a discussion the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.

According to committee chairman Armen Rustamyan, the Protocols will be included in the agenda of the RA National Assembly’s session, irrespectively of the Committee’s ruling. “However, on behalf of the Committee I'll suggest the RA National Assembly speaker to discuss the Protocols in all standing committees, before the resolution of the committee on foreign affairs is announced. We decided to set up a working group, which would include representatives of all the parliamentary groups and which, by February 22, would advance proposals for a thorough discussion of the Protocols. It’s also necessary to organize another hearing,” Mr. Rustamyan said.

A PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent reported from parliament, Ernest Soghomonyan, a member of the Prosperous Armenian party, believes there is no need to start discussion on the Protocols in the parliament ahead of Turkey. “It's a matter of national dignity. Let them begin the discussion, and later we'll regard our possible actions,” Soghomonyan said.

The Committee has also approved the RA government' amendments in the law “On international agreements,” in the part, where Armenia may withdraw its signature, should an international agreement contradict the country’s national interests. Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy RA Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the signature withdrawal is a common international practice, stipulated by Vienna Convention.

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.