The Journal of Turkish Weekly

Historical Protocols Signed by Turkey and Armenia

Sunday, 11 October 2009

ZURICH – Turkey and Armenia have agreed to establish diplomatic
relations.

The "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the
Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia" was signed by Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Eduard
Nalbandian in Swiss city of Zurich on Saturday.

The protocol envisages mutual recognition of the existing border
between the two countries.

Under the protocol, Turkey and Armenia reconfirmed 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".

Turkey and Armenia also condemned 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.

* TURKEY AND ARMENIA SIGN PROTOCOLS – PROTOCOL ON DEVELOPING RELATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY & ARMENIA SIGNED

– Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian
counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed Saturday a protocol on developing
relations between their two countries.

The "Protocol on Developing Relations between the Republic of Turkey
and the Republic of Armenia" was signed by Davutoglu and Nalbandian in
Swiss city of Zurich.

The protocol aims to facilitate the development of relations between
Turkey and Armenia in all fields and took significant steps within
this frame.

One of the steps has to do with the opening of the Turkish-Armenian
border two months after the protocol goes into effect. The two
countries have decided to establish committees in various fields and
at various levels. An historical sub-committee will be established
with the participation of international experts.

-FULL TEXT OF PROTOCOL-

Full text of the Protocol is as follows:
The Republic of Turkey hment of Diplomatic Relations between the
Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia signed on the same day,
Considering the perspectives of developing their bilateral relations,
based on confidence and respect to their mutual interests, Determining
to develop and enhance their bilateral relations, in the political,
economic, energy, transport, scientific, technical, cultural issues
and other fields, based on common interests of both countries,
Supporting the promotion of the cooperation between the two countries
in the international and regional organisations, especially within the
framework of the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the BSEC, Taking into account
the common purpose of both States to cooperate for enhancing regional
stability and security for ensuring the democratic and sustainable
development of the region, 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, Reaffirming their readiness to actively support the actions of
the international community in addressing common security threats to
the region and world security and stability, such as terrorism,
transnational organised crimes, illicit trafficking of drugs and arms,
1. Agree to open the common border within 2 months after the entry
into force of this Protocol,
2. Agree to conduct regular political consultations between the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries;
implement 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;
make the best possible use of existing transport, communications and
energy infrastructure and networks between the two countries, and to
undertake measures in this regard;
develop the bilateral legal framework in order to foster cooperation
between the the fields of science and education by encouraging
relations between the appropriate institutions as well as promoting
the exchange of specialists and students, and act with the aim of
preserving the cultural heritage of both sides and launching common
cultural projects;
establish consular cooperation in accordance with the Vienna
Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 in order to provide necessary
assistance and protection to the citizens of the two countries;
take concrete measures in order to develop trade, tourism and economic
cooperation between the two countries;
engage in a dialogue and reinforce their cooperation on environmental
issues.
3. Agree on the establishment of an intergovernmental bilateral
commission which shall comprise separate sub-commissions for the
prompt implementation of the commitments mentioned in operational
paragraph 2 above in this Protocol. To prepare the working modalities
of the intergovernmental commission and its sub-commissions, a working
group headed by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall be created
2 months after the day following the entry into force of this
Protocol. Within 3 months after the entry into force of this Protocol,
these modalities shall be approved at ministerial level. The
intergovernmental commission shall meet for the first time immediately
after the adoption of the said modalities. The sub-commissions shall
start their work at the latest 1 month thereafter and they shall work
continuously until the completion of their mandates.

Where appropriate, international experts shall take part in the
sub-commissions.

The timetable and elements agreed by both sides for the implementation
of this Protocol are mentioned in the annexed document, which is an
integral part of this Protocol.

This Protocol and the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic
Relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia
shall enter into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the
first month following the exchange of instruments of ratification.

–
OL-

Full text of the protocol is as follows:
"The Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia, Desiring to
establish good neighbourly relations and to develop bilateral
cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and other fields for
the benefit of their peoples, as envisaged in the Protocol on the
development of relations signed on the same day, Referring to their
obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki
Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, Reconfirming 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, Bearing in mind the
importance of the creation and maintenance of an atmosphere of trust
and confidence between the two countries that will contribute to the
strengthening of peace, security and stability of the whole region, as
well as being determined to refrain from the threat or the use of
force, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to protect
human rights and fundamental freedoms, Confirming the mutual
recognition of the existing border between the two countries as
defined by the relevant treaties of international law, Emphasizing
their decision to open the common border, Reiterating their commitment
to refrain from pursuing any policy incompatible with the spirit of
good neighbourly relations, 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, Affirming their willingness to chart a new
pattern and course for their relations on the basis of common
interests, goodwill and in pursuit of peace, mutual understanding and
harmony, Agree to establish diplomatic relations as of the date of the
entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and to exchange Diploma
tocol and the Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations
between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia shall enter
into force on the same day, i.e. on the first day of the first month
following the exchange of instruments of ratification."

* SIGNING OF TURKEY-ARMENIA PROTOCOL IN ZURICH

A crisis erupted during signing of two protocols on the establishment
of diplomatic ties and development of relations between Turkey and
Armenia in Swiss city of Zurich on Saturday.

Turkish diplomatic sources said that a dispute over the final
statements which the parties would make at the end of the ceremony
escalated tension between the two parties.
Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey of Switzerland met Turkish
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu prior to the signing ceremony and
told him that the Armenian party could object to the text of
Davutoglu’s speech since there were some differences in texts of the
parties.
Armenian party felt uneasy about some parts of Davutoglu’s speech in
which he stressed that the Caucasus should become a region of peace
and tranquillity and the Upper Karabakh dispute between Azerbaijan and
Armenia should be resolved. Armenian party has been defending from the
very beginning that normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations and the
Upper Karabakh dispute were two separate issues.
Turkish party turned down Armenian party’s demand about exclusion of
those expressions from Davutoglu’s speech, and objected to the text of
Nalbandian’s speech in return. Turkish party said that Nalbandian
referred to historical events in his speech and demanded exclusion of
such expressions. The signing ceremony came to a deadlock after both
parties rejected to take a step back.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Swiss Foreign Minister
Calmy Rey played an active role and tried to persuade the parties.
When Turkish and Armenian delegations did not accept to revise texts
of the speeches, Turkish party proposed to cancel the scheduled
speeches altogether.
Armenian party insisted on delivering the sp
y Rey succeeded in putting an end to the uncertainty.
In the end, the signing took place about three hours later and there
were no spoken statements.
Sources said that Armenia could made a written or verbal statement in
an efort to retrieve.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner who were also in Zurich to attend the signing
ceremony displayed an attitude in favor of Turkey.
Meanwhile, Davutoglu called on President Abdullah Gul and Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on phone and informed them about the
developments.

* SIGNING OF TURKEY-ARMENIA PROTOCOLS IN ZURICH -TURKISH PREMIER SAYS
A STATEMENT WILL BE MADE ON SUNDAY

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they would make
a detailed statement on Sunday about the protocols signed between
Turkey and Armenia in Swiss city of Zurich.

Upon questions of journalists, Prime Minister Erdogan said that a
detailed statement would be made after a meeting of the Central
Executive Board of his ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party on
Sunday.

Sunday, 11 October 2009
Journal of Turkish Weekly