Tweet
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
Armenian Parliament not to discuss Protocols until they are ratified by Turkey
Home policy review for 8-15 February 2010
13.02.2010 GMT+04:00
Last week was marked by discussion and comments on the Armenian
President’s message to his Turkish counterpart, and Serzh Sargsyan’s
speech in the British Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham
House. This week, the President of Armenia also submitted to the
Parliament the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Traditionally, some of the political forces of
Armenia, and most importantly, representatives of the coalition
government voiced criticism about Turkey. This week Member of the
faction ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan was the first. He called
to join efforts to ensure positive outcome of the ratification
process. He also criticized the position of those political figures
who are trying to instill discrepancy in the form of advancement of
the ratification process. “Instead of supporting this movement, people
are trying to deliver a blow to it, using all sorts of methods in
pursuit of personal, political or other benefits, not realizing that
it has a negative effect on our national interests,” Minasyan
declared.
On February 8, the interdepartmental working group on developing food
security in Armenia met to discuss food security issues. The meeting
was chaired by Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) of
Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan. According to the decision of the National
Security Council and the order of the President of Armenia, food
security concept must be developed and submitted for approval in the
first half of 2010. Emphasizing the importance of food security, Artur
Baghdasaryan noted it is necessary to develop a concept that would
address the problem of food provision throughout the country, both in
ordinary conditions and in emergency and crisis situations.
Tuesday, February 9, President Serzh Sargsyan addressed a message to
his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, urging him to bring bilateral
relations up to a level where “the prospects of building normal
relations between the two countries become more tangible and
discernible”, and "the time has come to manifest determination to make
next major step and leave to the coming generations a stable and
secure region.” The President of Armenia underlined that results can
be achieved only if there is trust, resolve and unfaltering stance. “A
situation when words are not supported by deeds gives rise to mistrust
and skepticism, providing ample opportunities to counteract for those,
who oppose the process. We should be mindful of the fact that in this
particular case, the time is working not for but against the process,”
Sargsyan said in the letter.
On the same day representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia,
“Prosperous Armenia” and “Heritage” commented on the Armenian
President’s message sent to Abdullah Gul. According to Leader of the
Heritage parliamentary group Stepan Safaryan, the Armenian President
seeks to assure the Armenian public that the leadership sees no
problems in the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and is ready to move
forward. Another viewpoint was expressed by Member of the “Prosperous
Armenia” parliamentary faction Naira Zohrabyan. According to her, the
letter is a certain message addressed to the international community,
trying to show that Armenia stays true to the rules of the game and is
ready to establish relations with Turkey without any preconditions. A
similar view was expressed by Secretary of the Republican Party of
Armenia parliamentary faction Eduard Sharmazanov, who believes that
the President’s letter is a signal for the powers involved in regional
processes to positively affect the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.
Wednesday, February 10, began with a critical assessment of the
process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. According to expert at the
Armenian Center of Political and International Studies Ruben
Mehrabyan, the “football diplomacy” proved inefficient, and “No matter
how often politicians reiterate that Nagorno-Karbakh conflict
settlement process in not interconnected with the Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation, the linkage is obvious.” “Armenia has still a lot to
lose from this process,” said the political scientist, adding that the
exchange of offences between Yerevan and Ankara are crossing the
borders of decency.
On the same day RA President’s message received comments from ARF
Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group Leader Vahan Hovhannisyan.
According to him, “President Sargsyan made the Turkish side fear from
a possible failure of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, and freed
Armenia of responsibility for it”.
In the evening Armenian President’s speech given in Chatham House, the
British Royal Institute of International Affairs, received a high
response. The President touched upon almost all aspects of the foreign
policy of Armenia: Armenian-Turkish rapprochement,
Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict, Genocide recognition, regional security
and international cooperation. For the first time from an
international rostrum there were voiced facts without sleek diplomatic
language at the level of a head of state. “We have to realize that the
people of Karabakh consider that they have managed, on the one hand,
to restore historical justice distorted during Stalin’s dictatorship,
and, on the other, to safeguard the minimum conditions necessary for
their physical survival. It is with this realization that we continue
the talks with Azerbaijan and perceive the peace process and the
efforts of the mediators,” the Armenian leader said.
Serzh Sargsyan once again stressed that in the issue of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Armenia rules out any concessions, which
would call into question the physical existence and security of the
Nagorno-Karabakh people, and their right to a noble life.
Thursday, February 11, the Government of Armenia met to approve the RA
draft law “On Making Addenda to RA law on international treaties”.
Under this law, signer of the contract has the right not to become a
party to the treaty, clearly stating about his/her intention any time
before the treaty enters into force. In the prescribed manner the bill
will be submitted to the National Assembly of Armenia.
Friday, February 12, the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce
together with the Foundation for Political Studies and in association
with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia organized a public debate on
“Armenian-Turkish relations and cross-border regionalism”. Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch attended the debate. As the Armenian Prime Minister noted,
now Turkey and Armenia have a unique chance to improve relations,
since this is the case when stances of all the superpowers coincide.
In her turn, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch stressed,
“No one forgets the past, but it is necessary to look into the future.
No country should depend on a single transport corridor”.
On the same day ARFD reiterated its negative attitude to the
approaching ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. At a press
conference in Yerevan, Kiro Manoyan, Director of ARF Bureau’s Central
office of Hay Dat, stated that Armenia should immediately declare the
failure of normalization process with Turkey. The longer the process
lasts the more likely Turkey is to impose its conditions on Armenia,
Manoyan believes. “Turkey seeks progress in Karabakh conflict
settlement but serious progress is not to be expected in the near
future. The Protocols are leverage in the hands of Ankara, and she can
make use of them in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” said
Director of Hay Dat.
On Friday Head of RPA parliamentary group Galust Sahakyan declared
that on the same day Armenian-Turkish Protocols would be submitted to
the RA National Assembly. According to him, it is a mere procedure and
the National Assembly of Armenia will not discuss the Protocols until
the Turkish Parliament ratifies them. At the same time touching upon
ratification of the Protocols by Ankara, Sahakyan said the reasonable
period of time has long expired. “Our patience wears thin. If Turkey
goes on at that rate, signatures will be recalled,” stressed Sahakyan.
On February 12, RA National Security Council Secretary Artur
Baghdasaryan met with CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha in
Yerevan. The meeting centered on Armenia-CSTO collaboration issues.
The parties also emphasized the importance of cooperation in
military-technical, IT, and anti-trafficking spheres.
Mikhail Balayan
Armenian Parliament not to discuss Protocols until they are ratified by Turkey
Home policy review for 8-15 February 2010
13.02.2010 GMT+04:00
Last week was marked by discussion and comments on the Armenian
President’s message to his Turkish counterpart, and Serzh Sargsyan’s
speech in the British Royal Institute of International Affairs Chatham
House. This week, the President of Armenia also submitted to the
Parliament the Armenian-Turkish Protocols.
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Traditionally, some of the political forces of
Armenia, and most importantly, representatives of the coalition
government voiced criticism about Turkey. This week Member of the
faction ARF Dashnaktsutyun Artsvik Minasyan was the first. He called
to join efforts to ensure positive outcome of the ratification
process. He also criticized the position of those political figures
who are trying to instill discrepancy in the form of advancement of
the ratification process. “Instead of supporting this movement, people
are trying to deliver a blow to it, using all sorts of methods in
pursuit of personal, political or other benefits, not realizing that
it has a negative effect on our national interests,” Minasyan
declared.
On February 8, the interdepartmental working group on developing food
security in Armenia met to discuss food security issues. The meeting
was chaired by Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) of
Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan. According to the decision of the National
Security Council and the order of the President of Armenia, food
security concept must be developed and submitted for approval in the
first half of 2010. Emphasizing the importance of food security, Artur
Baghdasaryan noted it is necessary to develop a concept that would
address the problem of food provision throughout the country, both in
ordinary conditions and in emergency and crisis situations.
Tuesday, February 9, President Serzh Sargsyan addressed a message to
his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, urging him to bring bilateral
relations up to a level where “the prospects of building normal
relations between the two countries become more tangible and
discernible”, and "the time has come to manifest determination to make
next major step and leave to the coming generations a stable and
secure region.” The President of Armenia underlined that results can
be achieved only if there is trust, resolve and unfaltering stance. “A
situation when words are not supported by deeds gives rise to mistrust
and skepticism, providing ample opportunities to counteract for those,
who oppose the process. We should be mindful of the fact that in this
particular case, the time is working not for but against the process,”
Sargsyan said in the letter.
On the same day representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia,
“Prosperous Armenia” and “Heritage” commented on the Armenian
President’s message sent to Abdullah Gul. According to Leader of the
Heritage parliamentary group Stepan Safaryan, the Armenian President
seeks to assure the Armenian public that the leadership sees no
problems in the Armenian-Turkish Protocols and is ready to move
forward. Another viewpoint was expressed by Member of the “Prosperous
Armenia” parliamentary faction Naira Zohrabyan. According to her, the
letter is a certain message addressed to the international community,
trying to show that Armenia stays true to the rules of the game and is
ready to establish relations with Turkey without any preconditions. A
similar view was expressed by Secretary of the Republican Party of
Armenia parliamentary faction Eduard Sharmazanov, who believes that
the President’s letter is a signal for the powers involved in regional
processes to positively affect the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation.
Wednesday, February 10, began with a critical assessment of the
process of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. According to expert at the
Armenian Center of Political and International Studies Ruben
Mehrabyan, the “football diplomacy” proved inefficient, and “No matter
how often politicians reiterate that Nagorno-Karbakh conflict
settlement process in not interconnected with the Armenian-Turkish
reconciliation, the linkage is obvious.” “Armenia has still a lot to
lose from this process,” said the political scientist, adding that the
exchange of offences between Yerevan and Ankara are crossing the
borders of decency.
On the same day RA President’s message received comments from ARF
Dashnaktsutyun parliamentary group Leader Vahan Hovhannisyan.
According to him, “President Sargsyan made the Turkish side fear from
a possible failure of the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement, and freed
Armenia of responsibility for it”.
In the evening Armenian President’s speech given in Chatham House, the
British Royal Institute of International Affairs, received a high
response. The President touched upon almost all aspects of the foreign
policy of Armenia: Armenian-Turkish rapprochement,
Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict, Genocide recognition, regional security
and international cooperation. For the first time from an
international rostrum there were voiced facts without sleek diplomatic
language at the level of a head of state. “We have to realize that the
people of Karabakh consider that they have managed, on the one hand,
to restore historical justice distorted during Stalin’s dictatorship,
and, on the other, to safeguard the minimum conditions necessary for
their physical survival. It is with this realization that we continue
the talks with Azerbaijan and perceive the peace process and the
efforts of the mediators,” the Armenian leader said.
Serzh Sargsyan once again stressed that in the issue of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Armenia rules out any concessions, which
would call into question the physical existence and security of the
Nagorno-Karabakh people, and their right to a noble life.
Thursday, February 11, the Government of Armenia met to approve the RA
draft law “On Making Addenda to RA law on international treaties”.
Under this law, signer of the contract has the right not to become a
party to the treaty, clearly stating about his/her intention any time
before the treaty enters into force. In the prescribed manner the bill
will be submitted to the National Assembly of Armenia.
Friday, February 12, the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce
together with the Foundation for Political Studies and in association
with the U.S. Embassy in Armenia organized a public debate on
“Armenian-Turkish relations and cross-border regionalism”. Prime
Minister Tigran Sargsyan and U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie
Yovanovitch attended the debate. As the Armenian Prime Minister noted,
now Turkey and Armenia have a unique chance to improve relations,
since this is the case when stances of all the superpowers coincide.
In her turn, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch stressed,
“No one forgets the past, but it is necessary to look into the future.
No country should depend on a single transport corridor”.
On the same day ARFD reiterated its negative attitude to the
approaching ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. At a press
conference in Yerevan, Kiro Manoyan, Director of ARF Bureau’s Central
office of Hay Dat, stated that Armenia should immediately declare the
failure of normalization process with Turkey. The longer the process
lasts the more likely Turkey is to impose its conditions on Armenia,
Manoyan believes. “Turkey seeks progress in Karabakh conflict
settlement but serious progress is not to be expected in the near
future. The Protocols are leverage in the hands of Ankara, and she can
make use of them in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict,” said
Director of Hay Dat.
On Friday Head of RPA parliamentary group Galust Sahakyan declared
that on the same day Armenian-Turkish Protocols would be submitted to
the RA National Assembly. According to him, it is a mere procedure and
the National Assembly of Armenia will not discuss the Protocols until
the Turkish Parliament ratifies them. At the same time touching upon
ratification of the Protocols by Ankara, Sahakyan said the reasonable
period of time has long expired. “Our patience wears thin. If Turkey
goes on at that rate, signatures will be recalled,” stressed Sahakyan.
On February 12, RA National Security Council Secretary Artur
Baghdasaryan met with CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha in
Yerevan. The meeting centered on Armenia-CSTO collaboration issues.
The parties also emphasized the importance of cooperation in
military-technical, IT, and anti-trafficking spheres.
Mikhail Balayan