Parliamentary groups concerned over the oncoming Sargsyan-Erdogan meetingApril 9, 2010 - 16:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - International nuclear security summit is scheduled for April 12-13 in Washington, with a meeting planned between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the course of the summit. There’s noting unexpected about Serzh Sargsyan’s agreeing to meet the Turkish Premier in Washington, Heritage parliamentary group leader Stepan Safaryan said. As he told a news conference in Yerevan, “Armenia can’t withdraw from reconciliation as it’s not the only participant of rapprochement process. Any steps in this direction could entail negative consequences.” “Still, despite possible attempts to present the meeting as a step towards reconciliation, Armenia-Turkey Protocols ratification process has already exhausted itself,” Stepan Safaryan emphasized. Orinats Yerkir parliamentary group leader Heghine Bisharyan, however, characterized the oncoming meeting as a signal of readiness to ratify protocols without preconditions. “Armenian leader’s agreement to meet Prime Minister Erdogan proves that RA government’s initiative policy is open to consider any solutions proposed,” ARF Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group leader Artsvik Minasyan stated. “Turkey will attempt to push forward the rapprochement process, as well as Karabakh issue, aiming to work on fulfillment of its precondition on Karabakh settlement,” he emphasized. RPA parliamentary group leader Galust Sahakan stressed that RA President’s meeting with Turkish Prime Minister enables Turkey to demonstrate its interest in proceeding with reconciliation. Still, as he noted, reasonable time –frames, stipulated for Armenia-Turkey ratification have long been expired, so even now, Armenia is ready to withdraw its signature. “Armenia, however, has to pick a favorable time to do so,” he concluded. 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 Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |