RA NSC BACKS ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
08.10.2009 16:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On October 8, President Serzh Sargsyan conducted an
enlarged session of National Security Council (NSC). Apart from NSC
members, meeting was also attended by Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II, Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan, Chair
of Public Council Vazgen Manukyan and Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan. Discussion focused on the current stage of Armenian-Turkish
process and Armenia’s upcoming steps in that direction. Parties
summed up results of public discussions and President’s tour to big
Armenian communities.

"It time to sum up the results of six-day public discussion over
Armenian-Turkish ties and my all-Armenian tour. It was important
for us to listen to all possible approaches and get all possible
recommendations over the issue. I think succeeded in our efforts,"
President said in his opening speech. He further noted that discussions
in Diaspora were very important from the viewpoint of tactical and
strategic planning at every stage, including signature, ratification
and implementation of Protocols.

"Armenia has all resources to mobilize and use Diaspora’s potential,"
Armenian leader said, adding that he had additional chance to reiterate
that Protocols could be viewed as documents reflecting Armenia’s
position on Karabakh settlement. "I reiterated our approach to conflict
settlement – determination of NKR’s legal status through people’s free
will expression. It’s very important that U.S. President Barack Obama
once again confirmed it during a phone conversation in Los Angeles,"
Sargsyan noted, adding that he would never make unilateral concession
with regard to the issue.

Touching on international recognition of Genocide, President said
that Yerevan had undertaken relevant commitments that needed full
implementation. "Setting territorial claims is not the best start
for normalizing relations. 21st century political culture has its
requirements we need to consider. A ations are a broader notion than
Armenia-Turkey ties," Sargsyan said.

Afterwards, National Security Council went on to discuss current stage
of Armenian-Turkish rapprochement. All participants expressed support
to Armenian-Turkish Protocols, RA President’s press service reports.