National Academy of Sciences Backs Protocols

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By Asbarez Staff on Sep 24th, 2009

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) – Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences officially
expressed support on Thursday for the government’s policy of
rapprochement with Turkey and the recently publicized Turkish-Armenian
relations in particular.

The state-funded institution, which rarely challenges government
decisions, discussed the matter at a special meeting of its top
decision-making body, the General Assembly, held late Wednesday. The
meeting, attended by more than 150 members of the academy and
directors of its research institutes, took place behind the closed
doors. Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian also took part in the
discussion.

Journalists were only allowed to be present at the opening remarks
made by Radik Martirosian, the president of the Academy. He was
reported to claim that public attitudes toward the two draft protocols
on the normalization of Armenia’s relations with Turkey have been
`mainly positive’ despite existing `concerns’ about some of their
provisions.

Martirosian noted that all Armenian presidents sought to mend ties
with Turkey but that only Serzh Sarkisian has managed to achieve major
progress with his `dynamic and active foreign policy.’

In a statement issued the next day, the academy’s press service said
the meeting overwhelmingly adopted a resolution welcoming Sarkisian’s
efforts to `settle relations with neighbors and get Armenia out of the
[Turkish] blockade.’ `It is said in the resolution that the
normalization of relations with Turkey and the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border without preconditions would contribute to the
strengthening of Armenia’s geopolitical positions,’ the statement
said. The agreements allow for the `continuation of that policy,’ it
added.

The academy meeting was part of `internal political consultations’
which Ankara and Yerevan have pledged to undertake before signing the
deal next month. Sarkisian discussed the sensitive issue with leaders
of 52 political parties mostly loyal to him last week.
From: Baghdasarian