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ANKARA: Turkey, Armenia Protocols To "Positively Affect S. Caucasus

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  • ANKARA: Turkey, Armenia Protocols To "Positively Affect S. Caucasus

    TURKEY, ARMENIA PROTOCOLS TO "POSITIVELY AFFECT S. CAUCASUS STABILITY"

    www.worldbulletin.net
    Oct 27 2009
    Turkey

    Turkish FM said that a positive development in Azerbaijani-Armenian
    dispute would have a positive impact on ratification of
    Turkish-Armenian protocols.

    The Turkish foreign minister said on Monday that a positive development
    in Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute would have a positive impact on the
    ratification of Turkish-Armenian protocols.

    Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the Turkish
    government would not make an imposition on the parliament for adoption
    of the protocols signed with Armenia.

    "However, a positive development in the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute
    will have a positive impact on the ratification process," he told
    the Al-Jazeera TV in Pakistan.

    The Turkish minister said the protocols would positively affect
    the stability in South Caucasus, particularly the settlement of the
    Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute, and the end of occupation of Azerbaijani
    territories.

    "However, if things go wrong and if hopes fade for a positive
    development (in the above mentioned issues), our members of parliament
    may be in a tendency not to approve the protocol, and therefore we
    have to work for a positive scenario," Davutoglu said.

    Davutoglu said there was need for political and psychological ground
    to get a vote in favor of the protocol from the parliament, and there
    should be progress in peace talks for that positive vote.

    The Turkish minister defined Azerbaijan as a strategic ally and an
    internal policy element, and called on the international community
    to do something to end occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

    On October 10, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his
    Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed two protocols in the
    Swiss city of Zurich.

    The two protocols were on "the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
    Between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia" and "the
    Development of Bilateral Relations between the Republic of Turkey
    and the Republic of Armenia".

    The protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations envisages mutual
    recognition of the existing border between the two countries.

    Under the protocol, Turkey and Armenia reconfirmed their commitment,
    in their bilateral and international relations, to respect and ensure
    respect for the principles of "equality, sovereignty, non-intervention
    in internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and
    inviolability of frontiers".

    The protocol on development of bilateral relations aims to facilitate
    the development of relations between Turkey and Armenia in all fields
    and took significant steps within this frame.

    One of the steps has to do with the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
    border two months after the protocol goes into effect. The two
    countries have decided to establish committees in various fields and
    at various levels. An historical sub-committee will be established
    with the participation of international experts.

    Cyprus issue

    Also talking about Cyprus problem, Davutoglu said that had the European
    Union (EU) put enough pressure on the Greek Cypriot administration
    for adoption of the Annan plan in 2004, there would have been a
    different Europe, a different Eastern Mediterranean and a different
    Turkish-Greek relationship.

    Davutoglu said concerned parties should take lessons from 2004,
    and underlined importance of justice.

    The Turkish minister said the Turkish Cypriots voted for the Annan
    plan, whereas the Greek Cypriots rejected it, which indicated that the
    Turkish Cypriots wanted to reunify the island but the Greek Cypriots
    wanted to divide the island.

    Davutoglu said the same tendency continued, and that the EU should tell
    both parties that "it was enough" and it was time for reunification
    and peace.

    Also, Davutoglu underlined importance of forming a permanent
    political structure in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and underlined importance
    of representation of all ethnic identities.
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