DISCUSSION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS TO LAST UNTIL OCTOBER 13

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.09.2009 16:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Within coming weeks discussions of the
Armenian-Turkish protocols will start, and I will take part in them,
so we have decided to launch consultations from the meeting with
leaders of political parties of the country," Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan said in Yerevan today, opening the meeting with party
leaders. According to him, current consultations will lay the basis
for further debate on the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Acording to the president, very important and positive phase,
i.e. public and political discussions of the Protocols have started
in the Armenian society since signing the agreement on normalization
of Armenian-Turkish relations.

"In those days I have carefully examined all the proposals and
views, including negative ones. I also have heard the concerns of
the society. I also see the risks and have some concerns in regard
to protocols.

However, we must understand how we run the risk and what we will get
and what we intend to do.

Inviting the Turkey’s President to Armenia, I intended to start talks
on the possibility to normalize relations and to make clear that people
suffered from Genocide, has the strength and will to give a helping
hand first and ready to follow the generally accepted international
standards, " Serzh Sargsyan said.

Serzh Sargsyan mentioned that the current phase is a phase of
discussion and ratification of the Protocols, which presented in
the public as the defeat of the Armenian foreign policy. He offered
to discuss what these protocols can give to Armenia and what can
Armenia lose.

" I do not think that the establishment of diplomatic relations with
Turkey and opening of the border are the program-maximum or program-
minimum.

I consider this process as providing a minimum platform to begin
a dialogue with the Turks. We have a lot of problems with Turkey,
which must be addressed: economic, political and historical. I think
that we are on the way of so problems.

If we closed any door to solve the problem, you have to say about
it. We need to understand all the gaps to be addressed together. If
we really want to normalize relations with Turkey, let’s understand
what everyone will do and what we must all do in this direction,
" Serzh Sargsyan said, adding that no political force has declared
that it is against normalization of relations with Turkey so far.

The meeting between the president and leaders of political parties
lasted about five hours behind closed doors. 64 political forces were
invited , only 52 came.