Serzh Sargsyan: Ratifying the Protocols we do not complete the process
but start it

2010-02-13 16:07:00

ArmInfo. "It is strange not only for us but everybody why Turks
consider or state that the Armenian party delays the process of
ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols",- said Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan in his interview with Al Jazeera television.

On the contrary, it is obvious that it is the Turks that delay the
process, he said. "This is unambiguous because as the leader of the
political force, which makes up the majority in the Armenian
Parliament, I rule out that the protocols will not be ratified by the
Armenian Parliament in case the Turkish Parliament ratifies them
without any preconditions",- stressed the Armenian president.

At Al Jazeera correspondent’s request, Sargsyan said how the events
will develop after both parliaments ratify the Protocols. "After
ratification of the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, the latters will come
into force, the border between Armenia and Turkey will be opened,
afterwards an intergovernmental commission will be set up which will
consist of sub-commissions, and then we will start our dialogue",-
said the president and added that by ratifying the Protocols we do not
complete the process, but start it.

According to the Armenian leader, the opening of the Armenian-Turkish
border is important for Russia and the USA as well. "This is why the
USA, Russia and European Union support this process. That is to say,
the matter concerns not only the opening of the border, but also
establishment of relations",- concluded Serzh Sargsyan.