RUSSIA INTERESTED IN PROTOCOLS’ EARLY RATIFICATION: LAVROV

news.am
Jan 14 2010
Armenia

It is in incorrect to link Armenia-Turkey reconciliation with Karabakh
conflict settlement process, as they are not interrelated, Russian
FM Sergey Lavrov said at the Jan. 14 press conference in Yerevan.

"Russia backs Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, however the lay down
of any artificial demands in this context is wrong and improper,"
Lavrov stated. He also underlined that Russia is interested in early
ratification of the Protocols, adding that the sooner they are ratified
the better for the region. "In its turn Russia is ready to render
infrastructural as well as energy and communicational assistance once
the parties are ready," Russian FM outlined.

Commenting on the opinion that his visit is related to Erdogan’s
arrival in Moscow, Lavrov said, "The arrangement on my visit to
Armenia was reached 1.5 months ago in the frames of OSCE ministerial
council in Athens, whereas agreement on Erdogan’s visit to Moscow
talks – several days ago. These visits bear no connection with one
another, just as RA Defense Minster’s arrival in Moscow. By the way,
the issues on expansion of bilateral military-strategic cooperation
and intensification of collaboration in the frames of CSTO will be
discussed in the course of this visit."

Commenting on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, RA Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian pointed out that Armenia is decided about early
ratification of the Protocols. "The thing is that unlike Turkey the
procedure of international Protocols’ ratification in Armenia is
more complicated. First, the documents should be considered in the
Constitutional Court. In this case RA CC made a judgment over a day,
while it could take longer," Nalbandian outlined, adding that this
fact also proves Armenia’s aspiration to ratify the Protocols shortly.

As to Turkey, RA Foreign Minister reckons that Protocols are being
considered by Turkish Parliament since October, 2009. "We’d rather
not think that Turkey blocks the Protocols deliberately and believe
that Turkish Parliament will protract the ratification process,"
Nalbandian concluded.