GUL TO SARKISIAN: LET’S NOT FORGET OUR COMMITMENTS

Hurriyet
Feb 11 2010
Turkey

President Abdullah Gul said Thursday that Turkey and Armenia will
continue to work to move the normalization process forward based on
the understanding reached between the two countries Nov. 10.

"We have to be aware that concluding this historic process will require
honoring our commitments in their entirety as well as displaying
adequate political courage and vision," Gul said in his response to
a message given by Armenian President Serge Sarkisian.

Turkey allowed Sarkisian’s plane to use the country’s airspace while
flying to London last week. The Armenian president sent a courtesy
message to Gul while passing through Turkish airspace.

The normalization process has faced difficulties following the Armenian
constitutional court’s underlining that the protocols signed between
Turkey and Armenia should not breach that country’s Independence
Declaration. Article 11 of the declaration says that Armenia will
always stand for the worldwide recognition of the events of 1915 in
the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

Though the court found the protocols compatible with the constitution,
this reference caused deep concerns in Ankara. Gul’s comment that
the process should move forward based on the understanding reached
between the two countries directly refers to this ongoing row.

"I also agree with you that responsible governance necessitates both
standing behind words and supporting words with deeds," the Turkish
president said. "Overcoming the long-established prejudices and
nurturing mutual understanding and trust among our two neighboring
peoples were indeed our main objectives when endorsing the process
of normalization between our countries. You should have no doubt
that our determination to move these objectives forward is intact,
provided that this resolve and commitment remains reciprocal."

The protocols, which envision the opening of the sealed border and
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two neighboring
countries, must be ratified by both parliaments before they can enter
into force.