PROTOCOLS ARE UNLIKELY TO BE RATIFIED UNTIL APRIL 24: TURKISH POLITICIAN

news.am
March 23 2010
Armenia

Armenia-Turkey Protocols are unlikely to be ratified till April 24 –
95th anniversary of 1915 events, leader of Turkish Liberal Democratic
Party Cem Toker told journalists in Yerevan today.

He stressed that as was expected, Turkish government directly linked
Armenia-Turkey reconciliation with Karabakh peace process. Besides,
official Ankara uses RA Constitutional Court judgment that excludes any
possibility for Yerevan to renounce Armenian Genocide. "I think that
linkage of two processes is unadvisable. If Turkey settles relations
with Armenia, it will have more leverage to pressurize Baku and Yerevan
on Karabakh issue. However, Ankara has already linked these processes
and reverse is impossible. Presently we can assert that the Protocols
are frozen," Toker stated.

Turkish politician considers attempts of great powers to artificially
accelerate the reconciliation process incorrect. Toker believes it
is crucial to break stereotypes between the nations and intensify
dialogue between civil societies’ members. "This is how the real
normalization might be achieved. Turks and Armenians must initiate
dialogue on their own, whereas the pressure by world powers only
impedes the process. Our people live side by side for already 700
years and current level of relations is unacceptable," he concluded.