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Today's Zaman (Turkey)
May 16, 2014 Friday
Armenian diplomat: Protocols with Turkey are not dead
SINEM CENGIZ/YEREVAN
The protocols signed by Turkey and Armenia in 2009 to normalize
relations between the two estranged neighbors, which have failed to be
ratified, are not "dead and lost in the dusty pages of the history," a
senior Armenian official has said in exclusive remarks to Today's
Zaman in Yerevan.
A top diplomat from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who
commented on condition of anonymity, has said that if Turkey takes a
step towards the ratification of the protocols in Parliament, Armenia
is certain to ratify as well.
A historic reconciliation process was launched between Turkey and
Armenia in 2009, when the two sides signed protocols to normalize
diplomatic relations, but the move was not well received by
neighboring Azerbaijan. The protocols, signed in Zurich, shook
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations as a territorial conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh area has yet to
be resolved. The ratification of the protocols stalled after Turkey
insisted that Armenia first agree to find a solution to the
long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
"Contrary to many remarks, we don't believe that the protocols are
dead. However, one point is very significant, that even if one day
Turkey and Armenia agree to ratify the protocols, establish diplomatic
relations and open the borders, the tough task is the reconciliation
of the two nations. That is what we have to think over," the diplomat
said.
Meanwhile, Serzh Sarksyan, the president of Armenia, with which Turkey
has no diplomatic ties, offered his condolences to his Turkish
counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on Wednesday night over the explosion and
fire at a coal mine in western Turkey's district of Soma which killed
hundreds, making it one of the deadliest mining disasters in the
country's history.
The statement released by the Armenian presidency said the president
of Armenia extended his deepest sympathy to President Gul and the
Turkish people and that he hopes for a speedy recovery for those
injured in the incident.
Prior to the statement released by the Armenian president's office,
Armenian officials speaking to Today's Zaman had underlined that
Armenia would stand with Turkey in such a humanitarian situation.
Recent months have witnessed historic messages and visits from the
Turkish side to Armenia. First, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu visited Yerevan last December. His visit followed a letter
from Gul to his Armenian counterpart requesting that they hold a
meeting. Then, last month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued
a statement about the 1915 killings of Armenians in eastern Anatolia,
in which he extended the condolences of Turkey to Armenians for the
first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.
The Armenian diplomat, however, finds Turkey's approach to the
Armenian issue problematic. "We don't like to see the Armenian issue
abused in Turkish domestic politics," he added.
The diplomat said Armenia considers Erdogan's statement to be a "pure
form of denial" of what Armenia sees as genocide. Also, French
President Francois Hollande said in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on
Monday that he will push for a new law making it a crime to deny that
the 1915 killings of Armenians were genocide, despite Turkey's strong
opposition two years ago. when France last tried to introduce such a
law.
"Maybe the Turkish side will have to respond to Hollande's remarks," he added.
Meanwhile, as 2015, the centennial of the tragic events of 1915,
approaches, preparations and tension have been gaining momentum in
both Turkey and Armenia.
When the Armenian diplomat was asked about Armenia's strategy for
2015, he replied that there are ongoing efforts on the Armenian side
for the recognition of the events as genocide.
"Of course, I am not going to reveal Armenia's strategy now, but we
have established several regional commissions in different countries.
We have established 15 embassies in several countries in the past five
years. 2015 will be a tough year for everyone," the diplomat
concluded.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-347884-armenian-diplomat-protocols-with-turkey-are-not-dead.html
May 16, 2014 Friday
Armenian diplomat: Protocols with Turkey are not dead
SINEM CENGIZ/YEREVAN
The protocols signed by Turkey and Armenia in 2009 to normalize
relations between the two estranged neighbors, which have failed to be
ratified, are not "dead and lost in the dusty pages of the history," a
senior Armenian official has said in exclusive remarks to Today's
Zaman in Yerevan.
A top diplomat from the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who
commented on condition of anonymity, has said that if Turkey takes a
step towards the ratification of the protocols in Parliament, Armenia
is certain to ratify as well.
A historic reconciliation process was launched between Turkey and
Armenia in 2009, when the two sides signed protocols to normalize
diplomatic relations, but the move was not well received by
neighboring Azerbaijan. The protocols, signed in Zurich, shook
Turkish-Azerbaijani relations as a territorial conflict between
Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh area has yet to
be resolved. The ratification of the protocols stalled after Turkey
insisted that Armenia first agree to find a solution to the
long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh issue.
"Contrary to many remarks, we don't believe that the protocols are
dead. However, one point is very significant, that even if one day
Turkey and Armenia agree to ratify the protocols, establish diplomatic
relations and open the borders, the tough task is the reconciliation
of the two nations. That is what we have to think over," the diplomat
said.
Meanwhile, Serzh Sarksyan, the president of Armenia, with which Turkey
has no diplomatic ties, offered his condolences to his Turkish
counterpart, Abdullah Gul, on Wednesday night over the explosion and
fire at a coal mine in western Turkey's district of Soma which killed
hundreds, making it one of the deadliest mining disasters in the
country's history.
The statement released by the Armenian presidency said the president
of Armenia extended his deepest sympathy to President Gul and the
Turkish people and that he hopes for a speedy recovery for those
injured in the incident.
Prior to the statement released by the Armenian president's office,
Armenian officials speaking to Today's Zaman had underlined that
Armenia would stand with Turkey in such a humanitarian situation.
Recent months have witnessed historic messages and visits from the
Turkish side to Armenia. First, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu visited Yerevan last December. His visit followed a letter
from Gul to his Armenian counterpart requesting that they hold a
meeting. Then, last month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued
a statement about the 1915 killings of Armenians in eastern Anatolia,
in which he extended the condolences of Turkey to Armenians for the
first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.
The Armenian diplomat, however, finds Turkey's approach to the
Armenian issue problematic. "We don't like to see the Armenian issue
abused in Turkish domestic politics," he added.
The diplomat said Armenia considers Erdogan's statement to be a "pure
form of denial" of what Armenia sees as genocide. Also, French
President Francois Hollande said in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, on
Monday that he will push for a new law making it a crime to deny that
the 1915 killings of Armenians were genocide, despite Turkey's strong
opposition two years ago. when France last tried to introduce such a
law.
"Maybe the Turkish side will have to respond to Hollande's remarks," he added.
Meanwhile, as 2015, the centennial of the tragic events of 1915,
approaches, preparations and tension have been gaining momentum in
both Turkey and Armenia.
When the Armenian diplomat was asked about Armenia's strategy for
2015, he replied that there are ongoing efforts on the Armenian side
for the recognition of the events as genocide.
"Of course, I am not going to reveal Armenia's strategy now, but we
have established several regional commissions in different countries.
We have established 15 embassies in several countries in the past five
years. 2015 will be a tough year for everyone," the diplomat
concluded.
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-347884-armenian-diplomat-protocols-with-turkey-are-not-dead.html