Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is not failed

YEREVAN, June 15. /ARKA/. Edward Nalbandyan, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs gave an interview to Austrian magazine Profil. He expressed hope that the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations is not finally failed.

“Armenian-Turkish relations were blocked when Serzh Sargsyan, President of Armenia invited Abdullah Gül, President of Turkey to Armenia. Gül accepted the invitation which allowed to start the process. In the result of long and complicated negotiations we made a significant step in the regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations and signed two protocols – on the establishment of diplomatic relations and development of mutual cooperation last year in Zurich”, said Nalbandyan.

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After signing the protocols Armenia started the process of ratification even a month prior to the defined date. 

“At the beginning of February Sargsyan announced in London that Parliament of Armenia where the political party headed by the President is majority, will ratify the protocols when Turkey will do it. Turkish side which has simpler procedure of ratification did not undertake any steps in this direction and is hindering ratification process for already nine months”, he said.

Approach of Armenia completely corresponds to the position of international community – “ratification and implementation of protocols should take place without pre-conditions and in reasonable dates”. 

“We are ready to go ahead if there will be partners in Turkey and regulate our relations without pre-conditions. Currently Turkey is trying to find groundless bases for delaying the process”, said the Minister.

He denied the announcement of Turkish side about the delay of the process by Armenia. “Armenia never delayed the regulation. Nobody can approve it. All the steps by Armenia during the regulation process have been approved by international community. “After signing of protocols Turkey made a step back and again started to remind pre-conditions. For example connect the issue of Armenian-Turkish relations with regulation of Karabakh conflict”, said Nalbandyan. 

Not only Armenia but intermediate countries assisting signing of protocols and international community announced that regulation of Karabakh conflict is not related to Armenian-Turkish relations. Termination of the process is related to the fact that Turkey cannot respect the gained agreements, its responsibilities and promises.  -0-