Harout Sassounian: Ankara will ratify protocols if Armenia compromises over KarabakhApril 6, 2010 - 13:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey will sign the protocols on normalization of relations with Armenia immediately if the latter compromises over Karabakh, ceding the security area, said Harout Sassounian, the publisher of The California Courier. “Turks were never interested in opening of the border and establishment of diplomatic relations. They use the protocols to gain concessions on Karabakh and Genocide issues from Armenia. No step towards ratification was made, with the protocols being in the parliament for over six months,” he told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. As to international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Sassounian said that the protocols hinder the process. “This year, the Armenian Genocide resolution scraped through the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs due to one extra vote in favor. The same happened in the Swedish parliament. 7 years ago, a similar resolution was passed by the House panel with a vote 40 to 7,” he said. 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. |