Protocal News
RFE/RL REport
Turkey Accord Abrogation `Still An Option' For Armenia
27.04.2010
Ruzanna Stepanian
President Serzh Sarkisian held out hope for Armenian electricity
exports to Turkey on Tuesday just as one of his top diplomats warned
that Yerevan may still formally rescind the Turkish-Armenian
normalization agreements.
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, meanwhile, brushed aside
continuing domestic criticism of the Sarkisian administration's policy
on Turkey and accused Armenia's previous leadership of committing
foreign policy `mistakes.'
Sarkisian touched, in passing, upon his decision to freeze Armenian
parliamentary ratification of the agreements as he chaired a regular
meeting of his advisory Council on Atomic Energy Safety. He said the
opening of the Turkish-Armenian frontier, which he described as
`Europe's last closed border,' would give a massive boost to energy
cooperation in the region.
`Despite the fact that the process has been suspended because of the
Turkish government's inactivity, we see a potential to export
electricity to Turkey and, by transit, on to countries of the Middle
East,' the president said. He did not specify whether he thinks
Armenian power supplies could start before the Turkish-Armenian
protocols are put into effect.
An agreement on such deliveries was reportedly reached by Armenian and
Turkish energy companies during Turkish President Abdullah Gul's
historic visit to Yerevan in September 2008. Energy Minister Armen
Movsisian and other Armenian officials repeatedly said in the
following months that power grids in eastern Turkey are gearing up
electricity supplies from Armenia.
Movsisian said in October last year that the energy deal has not been
implemented because of `political problems in Turkey.' The effective
freezing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols announced by Sarkisian on
April 22 seems to have made the launch of energy cooperation between
the two neighboring states even more problematic.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Armenian service after the meeting of the
presidential council, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian
defended Sarkisian's decision not to walk away from the protocols
despite Ankara's refusal to unconditionally ratify them.
`Let us not forget that we too have an option to withdraw our
signatures [from the protocols,]' Kirakosian said. `That is a
variant. Depending on further developments in the process, we may use
that variant.'
The diplomat added that such a scenario will be `definitely possible'
if the normalization process remains deadlocked. But he could not say
just how long Yerevan is ready to wait.
`If there are credible statements and actions by the Turkish
leadership, there will be adequate steps on our part,' Nalbandian told
Armenian Public Television late on Monday. `But I see no need
whatsoever to start new negotiations [with Ankara.]'
Nalbandian also hit out at domestic critics of the Sarkisian
administration's policy on Turkey. He said recent resolutions approved
by U.S. and Swedish lawmakers disproved their claims that the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will halt broader international
recognition of the Armenian genocide.
And in an apparent jibe at former President Robert Kocharian,
Nalbandian said: `You know, when it comes to ensuring the continuity
of foreign policy, that doesn't mean we should continue mistakes. We
must not repeat mistakes, and it is this logic that led the president
of the republic to start this process.' He did not elaborate.
Earlier on Monday, a key member of the Kocharian administration,
former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, renewed his strong criticism
of the protocols and said Sarkisian has opted for the worst possible
response to the Turkish delay tactic. `If there were half a dozen
possible exit strategies from this situation - from doing nothing to
revoking Armenia's signature - the government has chosen the option
least beneficial to us,' Oskanian said in a statement.
Kirakosian, who served as deputy foreign minister also under Oskanian,
disagreed with the claim, arguing that Sarkisian's move has been
praised by the United States and other foreign powers. `I think it was
the right decision,' he said. `Right now we are waiting to see what
developments will occur in Turkey in relation to the ratification
process.'
27.04.2010
Ruzanna Stepanian
President Serzh Sarkisian held out hope for Armenian electricity
exports to Turkey on Tuesday just as one of his top diplomats warned
that Yerevan may still formally rescind the Turkish-Armenian
normalization agreements.
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, meanwhile, brushed aside
continuing domestic criticism of the Sarkisian administration's policy
on Turkey and accused Armenia's previous leadership of committing
foreign policy `mistakes.'
Sarkisian touched, in passing, upon his decision to freeze Armenian
parliamentary ratification of the agreements as he chaired a regular
meeting of his advisory Council on Atomic Energy Safety. He said the
opening of the Turkish-Armenian frontier, which he described as
`Europe's last closed border,' would give a massive boost to energy
cooperation in the region.
`Despite the fact that the process has been suspended because of the
Turkish government's inactivity, we see a potential to export
electricity to Turkey and, by transit, on to countries of the Middle
East,' the president said. He did not specify whether he thinks
Armenian power supplies could start before the Turkish-Armenian
protocols are put into effect.
An agreement on such deliveries was reportedly reached by Armenian and
Turkish energy companies during Turkish President Abdullah Gul's
historic visit to Yerevan in September 2008. Energy Minister Armen
Movsisian and other Armenian officials repeatedly said in the
following months that power grids in eastern Turkey are gearing up
electricity supplies from Armenia.
Movsisian said in October last year that the energy deal has not been
implemented because of `political problems in Turkey.' The effective
freezing of the Turkish-Armenian protocols announced by Sarkisian on
April 22 seems to have made the launch of energy cooperation between
the two neighboring states even more problematic.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Armenian service after the meeting of the
presidential council, Deputy Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosian
defended Sarkisian's decision not to walk away from the protocols
despite Ankara's refusal to unconditionally ratify them.
`Let us not forget that we too have an option to withdraw our
signatures [from the protocols,]' Kirakosian said. `That is a
variant. Depending on further developments in the process, we may use
that variant.'
The diplomat added that such a scenario will be `definitely possible'
if the normalization process remains deadlocked. But he could not say
just how long Yerevan is ready to wait.
`If there are credible statements and actions by the Turkish
leadership, there will be adequate steps on our part,' Nalbandian told
Armenian Public Television late on Monday. `But I see no need
whatsoever to start new negotiations [with Ankara.]'
Nalbandian also hit out at domestic critics of the Sarkisian
administration's policy on Turkey. He said recent resolutions approved
by U.S. and Swedish lawmakers disproved their claims that the
Turkish-Armenian rapprochement will halt broader international
recognition of the Armenian genocide.
And in an apparent jibe at former President Robert Kocharian,
Nalbandian said: `You know, when it comes to ensuring the continuity
of foreign policy, that doesn't mean we should continue mistakes. We
must not repeat mistakes, and it is this logic that led the president
of the republic to start this process.' He did not elaborate.
Earlier on Monday, a key member of the Kocharian administration,
former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, renewed his strong criticism
of the protocols and said Sarkisian has opted for the worst possible
response to the Turkish delay tactic. `If there were half a dozen
possible exit strategies from this situation - from doing nothing to
revoking Armenia's signature - the government has chosen the option
least beneficial to us,' Oskanian said in a statement.
Kirakosian, who served as deputy foreign minister also under Oskanian,
disagreed with the claim, arguing that Sarkisian's move has been
praised by the United States and other foreign powers. `I think it was
the right decision,' he said. `Right now we are waiting to see what
developments will occur in Turkey in relation to the ratification
process.'
FM: ARMENIA DEALS TO BE RATIFIED WHEN CONDITIONS RIPE
Today's Zaman
April 27 2010
Turkey
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday defended the government's
efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia and warned
that Turkey had the right to take necessary measures should Armenia
distort two protocols on restoring the ties.
Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, signed
the two protocols in October but they are yet to be ratified in the
national parliaments -- a necessary condition for their implementation
-- amid mutual accusations of belatedly added preconditions. Turkey
says a decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on the protocols
interprets them in a way that misrepresent their objectives.
Armenia, on the other hand, says Turkey has linked the process to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan although this
contravenes the text of the protocols.
Davutoglu, speaking at a parliamentary session, gave assurances to the
opposition that the protocols will go into force only on the condition
that they are implemented without any alteration. "We will make sure
that there will be no confusion or grey area in the implementation of
the protocols," he told deputies. "We have the right to take necessary
measures if the protocols are interpreted in a way that contradicts
their letter and spirit. ... Our parliaments will ratify the protocols
when political conditions are ripe."
The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) object to the protocols, saying they harm
Turkey's relations with Azerbaijan, an ethnic and regional ally of
Turkey and a key gas supplier. Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı, a deputy from the
MHP, said after Davutoglu's speech that the signing of the protocols
with Armenia was a "historical mistake" as Armenia still refuses to
formally recognize its borders with Turkey and keeps Nagorno-Karabakh
and adjacent territory in Azerbaijani land under occupation.
CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen criticized the government's pledges
to continue with the normalization process with Armenia despite
the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court. "This decision is
irreversible. How can you say you will ratify the protocols despite
this decision?" Oymen asked in Parliament.
Davutoglu, on the other hand, said normal ties with neighbors are a
key element for peace in the Caucasus and that the government would
continue with its initiative for normal ties with Armenia despite
obstacles raised in Armenia and in other parts of the world by the
Armenian diaspora. "We can opt for preserving the status quo and we
can live happily and comfortably for a while as a result. But we will
end up leaving a troubled Caucasus to our grandchildren," he said.
"The status quo in the Caucasus is not in the interests of Turkey
or Azerbaijan or Armenia or Russia but so far no brave step has been
taken to change it. Now, what we want is to change it."
The foreign minister also said Turkey was acting in full coordination
with Azerbaijan. "No development can harm the friendship between
Turkey and Azerbaijan," he said.
Today's Zaman
April 27 2010
Turkey
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday defended the government's
efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia and warned
that Turkey had the right to take necessary measures should Armenia
distort two protocols on restoring the ties.
Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, signed
the two protocols in October but they are yet to be ratified in the
national parliaments -- a necessary condition for their implementation
-- amid mutual accusations of belatedly added preconditions. Turkey
says a decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on the protocols
interprets them in a way that misrepresent their objectives.
Armenia, on the other hand, says Turkey has linked the process to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan although this
contravenes the text of the protocols.
Davutoglu, speaking at a parliamentary session, gave assurances to the
opposition that the protocols will go into force only on the condition
that they are implemented without any alteration. "We will make sure
that there will be no confusion or grey area in the implementation of
the protocols," he told deputies. "We have the right to take necessary
measures if the protocols are interpreted in a way that contradicts
their letter and spirit. ... Our parliaments will ratify the protocols
when political conditions are ripe."
The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) object to the protocols, saying they harm
Turkey's relations with Azerbaijan, an ethnic and regional ally of
Turkey and a key gas supplier. Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı, a deputy from the
MHP, said after Davutoglu's speech that the signing of the protocols
with Armenia was a "historical mistake" as Armenia still refuses to
formally recognize its borders with Turkey and keeps Nagorno-Karabakh
and adjacent territory in Azerbaijani land under occupation.
CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen criticized the government's pledges
to continue with the normalization process with Armenia despite
the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court. "This decision is
irreversible. How can you say you will ratify the protocols despite
this decision?" Oymen asked in Parliament.
Davutoglu, on the other hand, said normal ties with neighbors are a
key element for peace in the Caucasus and that the government would
continue with its initiative for normal ties with Armenia despite
obstacles raised in Armenia and in other parts of the world by the
Armenian diaspora. "We can opt for preserving the status quo and we
can live happily and comfortably for a while as a result. But we will
end up leaving a troubled Caucasus to our grandchildren," he said.
"The status quo in the Caucasus is not in the interests of Turkey
or Azerbaijan or Armenia or Russia but so far no brave step has been
taken to change it. Now, what we want is to change it."
The foreign minister also said Turkey was acting in full coordination
with Azerbaijan. "No development can harm the friendship between
Turkey and Azerbaijan," he said.
ARMENIA MAY IMPROVE TIES WITH TURKEY, IF AGREEMENTS
OBSERVED
Itar-Tass
April 27 2010
Russia
YEREVAN, April 27 (Itar-Tass) -- Armenia is ready to advance in
the improvement of relations with Turkey, if Ankara observes the
agreements reached between the countries, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian said on the republican public television. "We are
ready to move forward, if Turkey turns in our partner again ready to
advance without preconditions, improve relations and to fulfill the
agreements," the minister noted. "It is Turkey to decide whether we
will be new or old partners," Nalbandian noted.
"We passed a certain way for improving the relations without
preconditions. From our point of view and from that of the
international community, this way is the only right one," the minister
recalled. "If Turkey makes again statements worthy of trust, undertakes
the deeds worthy of trust, there will be adequate steps on our side,"
Nalbandian reaffirmed.
The minister considers it unnecessary to enter again into the
negotiations with Turkey. "Armenia will never participate in the
process (of normalization with Turkey - Itar-Tass) for the sake of
the process and in the negotiations for the sake of negotiations,"
Nalbandian noted. "We launched this process, entered into the
negotiations, initialed and then signed the protocols, which are
pending ratification," the minister believes. But then "the process of
improving Armenian-Turkish relations was deadlocked, but the deadlock
was broken at the initiative of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,"
the Armenian foreign minister pointed out.
Itar-Tass
April 27 2010
Russia
YEREVAN, April 27 (Itar-Tass) -- Armenia is ready to advance in
the improvement of relations with Turkey, if Ankara observes the
agreements reached between the countries, Armenian Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian said on the republican public television. "We are
ready to move forward, if Turkey turns in our partner again ready to
advance without preconditions, improve relations and to fulfill the
agreements," the minister noted. "It is Turkey to decide whether we
will be new or old partners," Nalbandian noted.
"We passed a certain way for improving the relations without
preconditions. From our point of view and from that of the
international community, this way is the only right one," the minister
recalled. "If Turkey makes again statements worthy of trust, undertakes
the deeds worthy of trust, there will be adequate steps on our side,"
Nalbandian reaffirmed.
The minister considers it unnecessary to enter again into the
negotiations with Turkey. "Armenia will never participate in the
process (of normalization with Turkey - Itar-Tass) for the sake of
the process and in the negotiations for the sake of negotiations,"
Nalbandian noted. "We launched this process, entered into the
negotiations, initialed and then signed the protocols, which are
pending ratification," the minister believes. But then "the process of
improving Armenian-Turkish relations was deadlocked, but the deadlock
was broken at the initiative of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan,"
the Armenian foreign minister pointed out.
FROZEN PROTOCOLS...AND WARMED OVER OBAMA STATEMENT
By Harut Sassounian Publisher
The California Courier
Panorama.am
13:21 27/04/2010
Two developments on Armenian-Turkish issues spilled a lot of ink last
week. Neither one was significant, but assumed significance because
of extensive international media coverage.
On April 22, exactly a year after the release of the roadmap,
ostensibly to normalize Armenia-Turkey relations, and six months
after the infamous Protocols were signed by the two countries with
great fanfare, Pres. Serzh Sargsyan announced their suspension.
There was actually nothing new in this announcement. It has been
crystal clear for months that Turkey's leaders never intended to
ratify the Protocols. They simply wanted to exploit them in order to
extract further concessions from Armenia. Turks repeatedly announced
that unless Armenia turned over Karabagh (Artsakh) to Azerbaijan,
the Turkish Parliament would not ratify the Protocols. As time went
by, Turkey added more inane demands, such as reversal of the Armenian
Constitutional Court's decision, and withdrawal of genocide resolutions
from Parliaments of other countries. Since Armenia had repeatedly
announced that it would not be the first to ratify the Protocols,
the accords were already frozen for months, if not stillborn.
Even though some may view Pres. Sargsyan's decision as a bold
move, it would have been far more preferable for him to withdraw
his country's signature from the Protocols, since they were dead
in the water anyway. He could have easily blamed their collapse on
Turkey's intransigence. He did acknowledge in his last week's public
announcement that he decided to suspend the Protocols, after Russia,
France and the United States asked him not to abandon them completely.
Now that Armenia has blinked first, Turkey is blaming it for causing
the collapse of the Protocols. Armenia has thus helped Turkey to
wiggle its way out of the intense international pressure it was
subjected to in recent months for its failure to ratify them.
Moreover, as long as the Protocols are not completely discarded,
Turkey will continue to exploit them by cleverly claiming that it is
still committed to their ratification under the "right" conditions,
and will use them as a viable tool to defeat all initiatives by third
countries on the Armenian Genocide.
Regrettably, Turkey is not the only country exploiting the Protocols.
Pres. Obama, after pressuring Armenia not to reject the Protocols,
dodged the term "Armenian Genocide" once again in his annual
statement. He used as an excuse the non-existent "dialogue among
Turks and Armenians."
Just as he had done last year, Pres. Obama substituted the term "Meds
Yeghern" [Great Calamity] for the Armenian Genocide and used the same
worn out euphemisms and shameful word games for which, as a Senator
and presidential candidate, he had condemned Pres. George W. Bush.
The overwhelming majority of Armenian-Americans, who had supported
Obama's candidacy and trusted him, now feel disillusioned and
deceived. He ran his campaign on the promise of change, only to
adopt the same immoral position of his predecessors, even though he
keeps saying that he has not changed his mind regarding his pledge
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide!
In a column I wrote last year after Pres. Obama first broke
his campaign promise on the Armenian Genocide, I stated that
Armenian-Americans do not need to beg him to acknowledge the Genocide.
Thirty years ago, Pres. Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation
referring to the Armenian Genocide. Therefore, Armenian-Americans
see no special advantage in a repeat statement by Pres. Obama. By
not keeping his word, however, Pres. Obama succeeded in undermining
his own reputation and credibility with the American people and world
public opinion.
It is simply mind-boggling that the President of the United States
would go out of his way to issue a statement that would alienate the
very people he is trying to accommodate.
Just imagine what the outcry would be had Pres. Obama referred to the
Holocaust as a massacre or a tragic event. Yet, this is exactly what
he has done on the Armenian Genocide by using a series of euphemisms
in his April 24 statement: "Dark past," "Dark moment in history,"
"painful history." "awful events of 1915," " a devastating chapter,"
"one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century," "murder," and
"terrible events." Pres. Obama's aides could have spent their time
more usefully by reading a history book rather than a dictionary
of synonyms.
The only new idea in Pres. Obama's April 24, 2010 statement is the
following brief sentence: "I salute the Turks who saved Armenians
in 1915." This is a commendable notion which unfortunately becomes
devoid of any meaning, in the absence of who or what exactly these
Armenians were saved from!
We all hope that the solemn commemorations next April 24 would not
be tarnished either by the Protocols (frozen or thawed) or by Pres.
Obama's offensive statement!
By Harut Sassounian Publisher
The California Courier
Panorama.am
13:21 27/04/2010
Two developments on Armenian-Turkish issues spilled a lot of ink last
week. Neither one was significant, but assumed significance because
of extensive international media coverage.
On April 22, exactly a year after the release of the roadmap,
ostensibly to normalize Armenia-Turkey relations, and six months
after the infamous Protocols were signed by the two countries with
great fanfare, Pres. Serzh Sargsyan announced their suspension.
There was actually nothing new in this announcement. It has been
crystal clear for months that Turkey's leaders never intended to
ratify the Protocols. They simply wanted to exploit them in order to
extract further concessions from Armenia. Turks repeatedly announced
that unless Armenia turned over Karabagh (Artsakh) to Azerbaijan,
the Turkish Parliament would not ratify the Protocols. As time went
by, Turkey added more inane demands, such as reversal of the Armenian
Constitutional Court's decision, and withdrawal of genocide resolutions
from Parliaments of other countries. Since Armenia had repeatedly
announced that it would not be the first to ratify the Protocols,
the accords were already frozen for months, if not stillborn.
Even though some may view Pres. Sargsyan's decision as a bold
move, it would have been far more preferable for him to withdraw
his country's signature from the Protocols, since they were dead
in the water anyway. He could have easily blamed their collapse on
Turkey's intransigence. He did acknowledge in his last week's public
announcement that he decided to suspend the Protocols, after Russia,
France and the United States asked him not to abandon them completely.
Now that Armenia has blinked first, Turkey is blaming it for causing
the collapse of the Protocols. Armenia has thus helped Turkey to
wiggle its way out of the intense international pressure it was
subjected to in recent months for its failure to ratify them.
Moreover, as long as the Protocols are not completely discarded,
Turkey will continue to exploit them by cleverly claiming that it is
still committed to their ratification under the "right" conditions,
and will use them as a viable tool to defeat all initiatives by third
countries on the Armenian Genocide.
Regrettably, Turkey is not the only country exploiting the Protocols.
Pres. Obama, after pressuring Armenia not to reject the Protocols,
dodged the term "Armenian Genocide" once again in his annual
statement. He used as an excuse the non-existent "dialogue among
Turks and Armenians."
Just as he had done last year, Pres. Obama substituted the term "Meds
Yeghern" [Great Calamity] for the Armenian Genocide and used the same
worn out euphemisms and shameful word games for which, as a Senator
and presidential candidate, he had condemned Pres. George W. Bush.
The overwhelming majority of Armenian-Americans, who had supported
Obama's candidacy and trusted him, now feel disillusioned and
deceived. He ran his campaign on the promise of change, only to
adopt the same immoral position of his predecessors, even though he
keeps saying that he has not changed his mind regarding his pledge
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide!
In a column I wrote last year after Pres. Obama first broke
his campaign promise on the Armenian Genocide, I stated that
Armenian-Americans do not need to beg him to acknowledge the Genocide.
Thirty years ago, Pres. Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation
referring to the Armenian Genocide. Therefore, Armenian-Americans
see no special advantage in a repeat statement by Pres. Obama. By
not keeping his word, however, Pres. Obama succeeded in undermining
his own reputation and credibility with the American people and world
public opinion.
It is simply mind-boggling that the President of the United States
would go out of his way to issue a statement that would alienate the
very people he is trying to accommodate.
Just imagine what the outcry would be had Pres. Obama referred to the
Holocaust as a massacre or a tragic event. Yet, this is exactly what
he has done on the Armenian Genocide by using a series of euphemisms
in his April 24 statement: "Dark past," "Dark moment in history,"
"painful history." "awful events of 1915," " a devastating chapter,"
"one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century," "murder," and
"terrible events." Pres. Obama's aides could have spent their time
more usefully by reading a history book rather than a dictionary
of synonyms.
The only new idea in Pres. Obama's April 24, 2010 statement is the
following brief sentence: "I salute the Turks who saved Armenians
in 1915." This is a commendable notion which unfortunately becomes
devoid of any meaning, in the absence of who or what exactly these
Armenians were saved from!
We all hope that the solemn commemorations next April 24 would not
be tarnished either by the Protocols (frozen or thawed) or by Pres.
Obama's offensive statement!
RFE/RL Report
27.04.2010
The European Union on Tuesday welcomed Armenia's decision not to walk
away from its fence-mending agreements with Turkey, while expressing
concern about `the loss of momentum in this process.'
The EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy,
Catherine Ashton, also reaffirmed through a spokesperson the bloc's
support for an unconditional and speedy ratification of the
Turkish-Armenian protocols sought by Yerevan.
`The High Representative is pleased to note that Armenia remains
committed to pursue the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations but at the same time expresses concern about the loss of
momentum in this process,' the unnamed spokesperson said in a
statement circulated by the EU delegation in Yerevan.
`The EU reiterates its call to both countries to continue their
dialogue and remain committed to the process of normalization without
preconditions and in a reasonable timeframe,' said the statement.
Germany, a key EU member state, also praised President Serzh Sarkisian
for not formally ending the normalization process, in a separate
statement released by its ambassador in Yerevan, Hans-Jochen
Schmidt. `We greatly welcome that,' said Schmidt.
France, another EU heavyweight, as well as the United States reacted
to Sarkisian's move in a similar fashion late last week. `We applaud
President Sarkisian's decision to continue to work towards a vision of
peace, stability, and reconciliation,' said U.S. Assistant Secretary
of State Philip Gordon.
Both the U.S. and the EU have essentially shared Yerevan's view that
Armenia and Turkey should normalize relations regardless of decisive
progress in international efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. Ankara regards such progress as a necessary condition for
Turkish ratification of the protocols.
`The High Representative believes that the full normalization of
bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey will contribute to
security, stability and cooperation in the Southern Caucasus,' read
the EU statement. `The EU will continue to provide its political and
technical support to this process and stands ready to help
implementing the steps agreed between the two countries.'
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