VICE-SPEAKER OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT: IF TURKEY DOES NOT RATIFY THE PROTOCOLS SOON, WE WILL STOP THE PROCESS OF NORMALIZATION OF THE RELATIONS WITH THIS COUNTRY

APA
Dec 28 2009
Azerbaijan

Yerevan – APA. "It is early to say that the hopes for the normalization
of Turkey-Armenia relations have been dashed," vice-speaker of Armenian
parliament Samvel Nikoyan said in his interview to slon.ru website,
APA reports. According to him, if Turkey does not ratify the protocols,
it will be regarded as a challenge not only to Armenia, but also to
the European Union, US and Russia.

"The question is the international image of these countries. If these
states ignore Turkey’s behavior, this is their problem. As regards
Armenia, we are appropriately playing the role of the international
partner. I think, after Turkey ratifies these protocols, Armenia
will take similar step. If Turkey expresses severe position again,
attributes the normalization of the relations with Armenia to Nagorno
Karabakh problem, it will not bring to the constructive dialogue.

President Serzh Sargsyan has also stated that Turkey must ratify
the protocols within a reasonable time. otherwise, Armenia will have
to stop the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations,"
he said.

Samvel Nikoyan explained what they meant by saying reasonable time.

"If Armenian side feels that Turkey has not changed its statements or
steps, to the contrary made its position stricter, Armenia will have to
come to necessary conclusions. We are not going to bow down to Turkey
and ask to normalize the relations. Turkey needs the normalization
of the relations as much as we do," he said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress