Philip Crowley: Armenia, Turkey in crucial period

April 14, 2010 - 13:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Spokesman for the U.S. Department of State Philip Crowley said all parties engaged in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey are in a critical time period to encourage the implementation of protocols signed last year.

In response to a question on U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday, Mr. Crowley said that the two discussed the normalization of Turkish and Armenian relations and Bosnia-Herzegovina's relations with NATO.

“Clinton-Davutoglu meeting was very positive and lasted 45 minutes,” he said. “They will meet once more either this evening or on Wednesday.”

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.