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ANKARA: Protocols Outline Mutual Recognition Of Common Border, Dialo

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  • ANKARA: Protocols Outline Mutual Recognition Of Common Border, Dialo

    PROTOCOLS OUTLINE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF COMMON BORDER, DIALOGUE ON HISTORY

    Today's Zaman
    Sept 2 2009
    Turkey

    Two protocols which Ankara and Yerevan announced they will sign within
    six weeks under a plan to normalize relations include provisions to
    help better explain to the public the course of affairs regarding
    the highly sensitive issue, which may be subject to ultra-nationalist
    rhetoric.

    The protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between
    Armenia and Turkey "confirms the mutual recognition of the existing
    border between the two countries as defined by the relevant treaties
    of international law."

    Over years of non-dialogue, it has been assumed that the Yerevan
    administration refused to recognize the Gumru and Kars Agreements that
    established the Turkish-Armenian border in 1920 and 1921, respectively.

    Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, speaking in an interview with the
    NTV news channel on Tuesday, underlined that the recognition of the
    borders was an important element of the recent development.

    The second protocol, the protocol on the development of relations
    between Armenia and Turkey, says that the two countries have agreed
    to "implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim
    to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including an
    impartial scientific examination of historical records and archives
    to define existing problems and formulate recommendations."

    The second protocol says that Armenia and Turkey have agreed on the
    establishment of an intergovernmental bilateral commission which
    shall form separate sub-commissions for the prompt implementation of
    the commitments mentioned in the operational paragraph 2, mentioned
    above, in the same protocol. The aforementioned paragraph highlights
    "Considering the perspective of developing their bilateral relations,
    based on confidence and respect to their mutual interests."

    "To prepare the working modalities of the intergovernmental commission
    and its sub-commissions, a working group headed by the two ministers of
    foreign affairs shall be created two months after the day following
    the entry into force of this protocol. Within three months after
    the entry into force of this protocol, these modalities shall be
    approved at the ministerial level. The intergovernmental commission
    shall meet for the first time immediately after the adoption of the
    said modalities. The sub-commission shall start their work at the
    latest one month thereafter and they shall work continuously until the
    completion of their mandates. Where appropriate, international experts
    shall take part in the sub-commissions," the second protocol says.
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