Armenia, Turkey unprepared for normalization

April 7, 2010 - 14:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The ongoing process between Armenia and Turkey is unfavorable for the RA but withdrawal from it would be extremely inexpedient, according to Hovhannes Igityan, chairman of the Armenian National Movement board.

“If the international community brings more pressure on Armenia and Turkey, both will ratify the protocols. Nevertheless, Armenia and Turkey are still unprepared to normalize relations and open the border,” he told reporters in Yerevan.

As to the forthcoming Sargsyan-Obama meeting in Washington D.C., Mr. Igityan that the U.S. President will try to urge Armenia upon concessions over Karabakh to inspire Turkey to take action towards normalization.

Commenting on the Karabakh issue, he said that the OSCE is determined to resolve the conflict in favor of Azerbaijan.

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.