Trend, Azerbaijan
Dec 19 2009

Armenia cannot pressure on Turkey to speed up ratification of
protocols: expert
19.12.2009 12:12

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 19 / Trend News E.Ostapenko /

No action by Armenia can make Turkey to speed up ratification of the
protocols, Former adviser to U.S. President Frederick Starr believes.

"To sign a piece of paper is an easy part of the process," Professor
at the Johns Hopkins University Starr told Trend News. "It is much
more difficult to reach a national consensus"

The Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan ordered to develop amendments to
the law on international treaties that envisage withdrawal of the
signature of the country.

Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward
Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey have been broken due
to Armenia’s claims of an alleged genocide, and its occupation of
Azerbaijani lands. The border between them has been broken since 1993.

Given the difficult situation in the domestic politics in Turkey and
Armenia, Starr does not believe in easy solution of the question.

"Philosopher and psychiatrist may understand the internal policy of
Turkey and Armenia related to protocols," Starr said. "Signing of the
protocols is a complicated process in both countries."

Presently, Azerbaijan needs to be very careful and observant, as 2009
was marked, he added.