Tweet
ARMENIA WITHDRAWS PROTOCOLS WITH TURKEY FROM PARLIAMENT
World Bulletin, Turkey
Feb 17 2015
The protocols, aimed at normalizing relations between the two
countries, were signed in 2009, as a result of a landmark process
facilitated by Switzerland.
World Bulletin / News Desk
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced Monday his decision to
withdraw from parliament the Armenian-Turkish protocols that aimed
to normalize relations between the two countries.
According to the Armenian news agency, Armenpress, the Armenian
president's office said that Sargsyan had sent a letter to the
chairman of the National Assembly, Galust Sargsyan, informing him of
his decision to withdraw the "Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations " and "Protocol on Development of Relations" between Turkey
and Armenia.
The two protocols were signed on Oct. 10, 2009, as a result of a
landmark negotiation process facilitated by Switzerland, which remain
suspended in Armenian parliament since 2010.
Turkey and Armenia, two neighboring countries, have no diplomatic
relations.
Turkish Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said that Turkey wishes to
normalize bilateral relations with Armenia, and within this perspective
it started "to unilaterally implement certain confidence-building
measures."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has said that the Armenian government
sent the protocols to its Constitutional Court for approval.
"Consequently, the court found the protocols to be commensurate with
the Armenian constitution with its reasoned statement, which contained
contradictory elements to the letter and the spirit of the protocols,"
the Turkish ministry says.
On April 22, 2010, the Armenian president suspended the ratification
process of the protocols.
Armenian-Turkey ties
During the First World War, the Ottoman Empire approved a deportation
law for Armenians amid their uprising with the help of the invading
Russian army. As a result, an unknown number of people died in
civil strife.
Armenian diaspora and state of Armenia term the incidents as "genocide"
and ask for compensation, whereas Ankara maintains that while Armenians
died during deportation, many Turks also died because of the attacks
by Armenian gangs all around Anatolia.
The high-tension rhetoric between Armenia and Turkey reached new high
this year when Turkish president's invitation for Armenian president
to visit Turkey was refused.
In mid January, the Turkish president sent invitation letters to
more than 100 leaders, including Sargsyan to participate in the
commemoration of the Battle of Canakkale on April 24.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/155191/turkish-press-review-feb-17
From: A. Papazian
World Bulletin, Turkey
Feb 17 2015
The protocols, aimed at normalizing relations between the two
countries, were signed in 2009, as a result of a landmark process
facilitated by Switzerland.
World Bulletin / News Desk
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced Monday his decision to
withdraw from parliament the Armenian-Turkish protocols that aimed
to normalize relations between the two countries.
According to the Armenian news agency, Armenpress, the Armenian
president's office said that Sargsyan had sent a letter to the
chairman of the National Assembly, Galust Sargsyan, informing him of
his decision to withdraw the "Protocol on Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations " and "Protocol on Development of Relations" between Turkey
and Armenia.
The two protocols were signed on Oct. 10, 2009, as a result of a
landmark negotiation process facilitated by Switzerland, which remain
suspended in Armenian parliament since 2010.
Turkey and Armenia, two neighboring countries, have no diplomatic
relations.
Turkish Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said that Turkey wishes to
normalize bilateral relations with Armenia, and within this perspective
it started "to unilaterally implement certain confidence-building
measures."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has said that the Armenian government
sent the protocols to its Constitutional Court for approval.
"Consequently, the court found the protocols to be commensurate with
the Armenian constitution with its reasoned statement, which contained
contradictory elements to the letter and the spirit of the protocols,"
the Turkish ministry says.
On April 22, 2010, the Armenian president suspended the ratification
process of the protocols.
Armenian-Turkey ties
During the First World War, the Ottoman Empire approved a deportation
law for Armenians amid their uprising with the help of the invading
Russian army. As a result, an unknown number of people died in
civil strife.
Armenian diaspora and state of Armenia term the incidents as "genocide"
and ask for compensation, whereas Ankara maintains that while Armenians
died during deportation, many Turks also died because of the attacks
by Armenian gangs all around Anatolia.
The high-tension rhetoric between Armenia and Turkey reached new high
this year when Turkish president's invitation for Armenian president
to visit Turkey was refused.
In mid January, the Turkish president sent invitation letters to
more than 100 leaders, including Sargsyan to participate in the
commemoration of the Battle of Canakkale on April 24.
http://www.worldbulletin.net/turkey/155191/turkish-press-review-feb-17
From: A. Papazian