TURKEY, ARMENIA PROTOCOLS TO "POSITIVELY AFFECT S. CAUCASUS STABILITY"

Oct 27 2009
Turkey

Turkish FM said that a positive development in Azerbaijani-Armenian
dispute would have a positive impact on ratification of
Turkish-Armenian protocols.

The Turkish foreign minister said on Monday that a positive development
in Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute would have a positive impact on the
ratification of Turkish-Armenian protocols.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the Turkish
government would not make an imposition on the parliament for adoption
of the protocols signed with Armenia.

"However, a positive development in the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute
will have a positive impact on the ratification process," he told
the Al-Jazeera TV in Pakistan.

The Turkish minister said the protocols would positively affect
the stability in South Caucasus, particularly the settlement of the
Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute, and the end of occupation of Azerbaijani
territories.

"However, if things go wrong and if hopes fade for a positive
development (in the above mentioned issues), our members of parliament
may be in a tendency not to approve the protocol, and therefore we
have to work for a positive scenario," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said there was need for political and psychological ground
to get a vote in favor of the protocol from the parliament, and there
should be progress in peace talks for that positive vote.

The Turkish minister defined Azerbaijan as a strategic ally and an
internal policy element, and called on the international community
to do something to end occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

On October 10, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his
Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed two protocols in the
Swiss city of Zurich.

The two protocols were on "the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
Between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia" and "the
Development of Bilateral Relations between the Republic of Turkey
and the Republic of Armenia".

The protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations 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".

The protocol on development of bilateral relations 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.

Cyprus issue

Also talking about Cyprus problem, Davutoglu said that had the European
Union (EU) put enough pressure on the Greek Cypriot administration
for adoption of the Annan plan in 2004, there would have been a
different Europe, a different Eastern Mediterranean and a different
Turkish-Greek relationship.

Davutoglu said concerned parties should take lessons from 2004,
and underlined importance of justice.

The Turkish minister said the Turkish Cypriots voted for the Annan
plan, whereas the Greek Cypriots rejected it, which indicated that the
Turkish Cypriots wanted to reunify the island but the Greek Cypriots
wanted to divide the island.

Davutoglu said the same tendency continued, and that the EU should tell
both parties that "it was enough" and it was time for reunification
and peace.

Also, Davutoglu underlined importance of forming a permanent
political structure in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and underlined importance
of representation of all ethnic identities.