Davit Harutyunyan: ratifying Protocols with reservations means rejecting them

February 23, 2010 - 17:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
The Armenian government has already initiated introduction of amendments to the RA Law On International Agreements, an Armenian official said.

“The issue will be discussed during next 4-day parliament session,” head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Davit Harutyunyan said, when commenting on the possible withdrawal of signature from the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.

As to the ruling of the RA Constitutional Court, Mr. Harutyunyan said the CC did not make reservations but just prevented attempts to distort the essence of the Protocols. “Ratifying the Protocols with reservations means rejecting them,” he said.

Asked about the possible ratification terms, Mr. Harutyunyan remarked, “I would refrain from setting dates. Reasonable terms can’t imply years. It’s a matter of a couple of months.”

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.