TURKISH GOVERNMENT SUBMITS ARMENIA PROTOCOLS TO PROTOCOLS TO PARLIAMENT

armradio.am
21.10.2009 17:57

The Turkish government on Wednesday submitted the recently signed
protocols on establishing diplomatic ties with Armenia to Parliament
for ratification.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu briefed Parliament on
Wednesday afternoon on the protocols signed on Oct. 10 with Armenia,
which among other things foresee opening the borders between the two
countries. Davutoglu was trying to convince skeptical lawmakers of
the benefits of the recent agreements, as the pacts are coming up
for Parliament ratification.

"The southern Caucasus doesn’t have a solid ground for political
dialogue," Davutoglu said. The government, however, believes
normalizing relations with Armenia will bring peace and prosperity
to the region.

Ahmet Davutoglu’s speech Wednesday was frequently interrupted by
opposition lawmakers who accuse the government of making concessions
by signing the documents in Switzerland earlier this month, according
to reports by Associated Press. The government, however, holds a
majority in Turkey’s 550-seat parliament and the accords are likely
to be ratified, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.