NEW PROTOCOLS SET GROUND FOR TURKEY, ARMENIA COMMON FUTURE
Hurriyet Daily News
nditional-protocol-sets-common-ground-for-common-f uture-2009-09-01
Sept 1 2009
Turkey
With the second half of ‘football diplomacy’ just weeks away, Turkish
and Armenian leaders are pledging to sign protocols that will usher
in a new era of open relations between the two countries. The future
isn’t certain, however, as the parliaments and presidents on both
sides of the border will need to ratify the agreements before they
can come into force
FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY: Hopes escalate for Armenian President Serge
Sarkisian to attend a football match in Turkey in October.
After decades of tension between the neighbors, Turkey and Armenia
are set to sign protocols that promise to shape a broad common ground
for establishing good ties and undertaking joint projects important
for future development.
The two countries are expected to ink two protocols in six weeks,
likely just before the World Cup qualifying match that will take
place in Bursa on Oct. 14 between Turkey and Armenia’s national teams.
The first protocol, covering the establishment of diplomatic relations,
and the second, on the development of relations, are accompanied by
an annex that sets a clear timetable for the implementation of both.
Though uncertainties remain, the agreements envision the opening of
the Turkey-Armenia border within two months after the second protocol
goes into force, which requires approval from both parliaments and
presidents.
"[Turkey and Armenia] reconfirm their commitment, in their bilateral
and international relations, to respect and ensure respect for the
principles of equality, sovereignty, non-intervention in internal
affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of
frontiers," the first protocol reads.
The initial part of the agreement also touches on the issue of
regional stability without making direct reference to the ongoing
dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory occupied by
Armenian forces. Refraining from the use of threats or force, promoting
the peaceful settlement of disputes and protecting human rights and
fundamental freedoms are also key provisions in the protocol.
Borders to be recognized
Under the agreement, the two countries will also affirm their mutual
recognition of their existing border, as defined by relevant treaties
in international law, a provision that directly refers to one of
Turkey’s most important demands, Armenia’s acknowledgement of the
1921 Treaty of Kars that delimited the border. This aspect of the
protocol can be seen as Armenia’s confirmation that it will no longer
make any claims on Turkish territory.
The next item of the protocol once again affirms the countries’
decision to open the common border, which was sealed by Turkey in
response to Armenia’s occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. Previously,
Turkey had said it would not move toward reconciliation with Armenia
unless the country removed its forces from Azerbaijani lands.
"Condemning all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism irrespective
of their cause, pledging to refrain from encouraging and tolerating
such acts and to cooperate in combating against them," are among the
other terms of the protocol. As Turkish intelligence services believe
that Armenia is one of the countries providing support to the outlawed
Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, Turkey will press Armenia to severe
any links with the banned organization.
The protocol on the development of relations lists a number of fields
in which the two countries will work to launch joint projects. In
addition to political and economic ties, Turkey and Armenia will
set up sub-commissions to work on energy- and transportation-related
efforts, as well as other scientific, technical and cultural issues,
that will foster a common future based on mutual interests. Projects
set to be launched in the short term include the reactivation of
existing railroads and joint electricity production.
In another reference to the peaceful settlement of regional disputes,
the protocol text says the countries are "reiterating their commitment
to the peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes and
conflicts on the basis of the norms and principles of international
law."
Under the new agreements, Turkey and Armenia will also work together to
stop transnational organized crime, including the illicit trafficking
of drugs and arms.
Initiating a historical dialogue
In addition to the main aims of the two protocols, the neighboring
countries have also agreed to set up a sub-commission to deal with
the mass killings that occurred during the World War I era. The
sub-commission will be able to invite foreign experts to contribute
to its work. It is charged with implementing "a dialogue on the
historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between
the two nations, including an impartial scientific examination of
the historical records and archives to define existing problems and
formulate recommendations."
The two countries will also cooperate in the fields of science and
education by encouraging relations between appropriate institutions
and promoting the exchange of specialists and students, and will act
to preserve the cultural heritage of both sides by launching joint
cultural projects.
The timetable
After negotiations are completed, the protocols are expected to be
signed in the first half of October and will then be sent to Parliament
for further discussion. The final approval of the protocols must be
made by President Abdullah Gul. It is not yet known how long it may
take to complete the ratification process.
The protocol calls for the border to be opened within two months of
the documents’ entry into force, meaning that if Gul approves them
on Nov. 1, for example, the border would have to be opened before
the New Year.
The two countries will also establish a working group headed by
their respective foreign ministries to prepare an intergovernmental
commission, along with a number of sub-commissions, that will
be convened within three months after the protocol goes into
effect. The sub-commissions will convene a month after the initial
intergovernmental meeting.
Uncertainty over Karabakh
Though a key step in the reconciliation process, the protocols do not
address all the questions marks in the relationship between the two
countries. After Turkey and Armenia declared their initial "road map"
for reconciliation on April 22, Baku’s strong reaction caused Ankara
to backpedal and declare that it would only move forward if Armenia
withdrawals from occupied Azerbaijani lands. The current protocol
does not address this issue. Turkish diplomats say there are still
two parallel tracks, but thus far, the implementation is not showing
that to be the case.