RF MFA: prospect of Armenian-Turkish normalization still preserved

April 24, 2010 - 15:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrei Nesterenko stated that Armenia and Russian have failed to reach a decision that would allow restoring neighborly relations, and consequently improving the political situation in the South Caucasus and creating prerequisites for boosting stability in the region.

“Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan summarized in his April 22 address the poor result of long-continued negotiations on reconciliation with Turkey and declared deadlock in the process. Nevertheless, he stressed that Armenia just suspends ratification of Protocols’, but doesn’t not withdraw its signature from them. Thus, the prospect for the Armenian-Turkish normalization is preserved,” he said. “We are hopeful that the two countries will manage to remove the current obstacles and create conditions for comprehensive normalization of relations, in which all countries of the region are interested,” the Russian diplomat said, the press service of the Russian MFA reported.

On April 22, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on termination of the procedure on ratification of Armenian-Turkish Protocols signed in Zurich on October 10, 2009.

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.