Amendments to RA law "On international treaties" can be applied to Protocols

February 23, 2010 - 18:22 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net -
On February 23 Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian , briefed on a bill amending RA law "On international treaties" at the National Assembly of Armenia. According to Nalbandian, the bill refines internal procedures related to suspension of a treaty during its conclusion.

As the Foreign Minister of Armenia noted, according to Vienna Convention the Republic of Armenia has the right not to join an international treaty by the end of its conclusion. "The bill provides a legal basis for Armenia to withdraw from a treaty at any stage of its conclusion," Nalbandian said.

Answering the question of MP from Heritage group Armen Martirosyan, can this bill be regarded in light of statements of Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan to suspend the ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols, if Turkey would delay the process, Nalbandian replied affirmatively. "Protocols are also international agreements and if necessary in relation to them this bill can also be applied," Nalbandian explained.

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.