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ARMENIA MAY WITHDRAW SIGNATURES FROM ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS - EXPERT
news.am, Armenia
Oct 10 2011
YEREVAN. - Expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan does not
rule out that Armenia might unexpectedly withdraw signatures from
Armenian-Turkish protocols.
He stressed even if the Armenian side revoke the signatures, the
whole responsibility would fall on Turkey.
"Keeping the protocols on the agenda for decades is unreasonable,
therefore, recalling Armenia's signatures seems pretty realistic.
However, we should not plunge into such drastic steps now, because
the international community is focused on the problems of the Middle
East and this move would have no effect," said Melkonyan, adding that
Armenia and Turkey play a whose-nerves-are-stronger game.
In October 2009 Armenia and Turkey signed protocols in Zurich to
normalize diplomatic relations between the states. The documents
had to be ratified in both countries' parliaments. However, in
2010 the Armenian president suspended the process due to Turkey's
non-constructive stance. Ankara set preconditions and linked the
reconciliation process to resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
Turkey decided to remove the protocols from parliament's agenda this
August but then returned it in September.
news.am, Armenia
Oct 10 2011
YEREVAN. - Expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan does not
rule out that Armenia might unexpectedly withdraw signatures from
Armenian-Turkish protocols.
He stressed even if the Armenian side revoke the signatures, the
whole responsibility would fall on Turkey.
"Keeping the protocols on the agenda for decades is unreasonable,
therefore, recalling Armenia's signatures seems pretty realistic.
However, we should not plunge into such drastic steps now, because
the international community is focused on the problems of the Middle
East and this move would have no effect," said Melkonyan, adding that
Armenia and Turkey play a whose-nerves-are-stronger game.
In October 2009 Armenia and Turkey signed protocols in Zurich to
normalize diplomatic relations between the states. The documents
had to be ratified in both countries' parliaments. However, in
2010 the Armenian president suspended the process due to Turkey's
non-constructive stance. Ankara set preconditions and linked the
reconciliation process to resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
Turkey decided to remove the protocols from parliament's agenda this
August but then returned it in September.