It does not matter for Turkey which border is opened first – Armenian-Turkish or Armenian-Azerbaijani

May 3, 2010 - 17:30 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Political analyst Levon Shirinyan said that the statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is not sufficient for Turkey proves that it wants to govern processes in the region. Turkey persistently wants to be involved in regional processes and govern them, Shirinyan said during a joint press conference with Turkologist Artak Shakaryan in Yerevan.

In his turn, Shakaryan noted that the statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister is not new; it is just a reformulation of previous statements. "In Turkey's opinion, the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is senseless without the opening of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border," the Armenian expert said, adding that it does not matter for Turkey which border is opened first, it is important that the processes develop and complete relatively simultaneously. "The Armenian-Turkish relations will not reach a high level unless Ankara changes its stance and the issue of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations is settled," Shakaryan stressed.

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.