January 14, 2010 - 16:03 AMT
Blocking ratification of protocols, Turkey would violate its commitments
Armenia, like Turkey, undertook to ratify the protocols on normalization of bilateral relations within reasonable terms, Russia's top diplomat said.

"The protocols were introduced in the Turkish parliament in October 2009. In Armenia, these were submitted to the Constitutional Court," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a joint news conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

"Blocking ratification of protocols, Turkey would violate its commitment to ratify the documents within shortest terms and to avoid creating artificial obstacles. The resolution of the Armenian Constitutional Court is a signal for Turkey to take action.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the common 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.