RA CC ruling doesn’t limit or qualify Protocols in any way, US says
23.01.2010 15:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The United States welcomed a ruling by Armenia’s
Constitutional Court late on Friday, effectively dismissing Turkey’s
claims that it runs counter to the Turkish-Armenian fence-mending
agreements.

`We view the court decision as a positive step forward in the
ratification process of the normalization protocols between Turkey and
Armenia,’ U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said in
written comments sent to RFE/RL. `The court decision permits the
protocols, as they were negotiated and signed, to move forward towards
parliamentary ratification, and does not appear to limit or qualify
them in any way.’

`We are confident that both Turkey and Armenia take their commitment
to the protocols seriously, and we urge timely ratification of the
protocols by both countries,’ added Gordon. `Our position remains the
same. We support the normalization process, which we believe
contributes to peace and stability in the Caucasus. What is critical
is to keep the parties focused on the vital importance of moving
ahead.’

Earlier, commenting on the decision of the Armenian Constitutional
Court, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that `the decision
contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the
letter and spirit of the Protocols.’

‘The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these
Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot
be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed
allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence
to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same
allegiance from the Armenian Government,’ the Ministry said.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish
counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of
diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of
Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.