GALUST SAHAKYAN: ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER MAY BE OPENED BEFORE RATIFICATION OF PROTOCOLS

ArmInfo
2010-04-15 16:45:00

ArmInfo. The Armenian-Turkish border may be opened even before
ratification of the Protocols, deputy Chairman of the Republican
party of Armenia Galust Sahakyan told journalists today.

"So, the Armenian-Turkish process has already overstepped ratification,
as the Armenian-Turkish border may be opened before ratification
of the Protocols signed in Zurich. The Armenian diplomacy has done
its part, and the process is moving forward in accordance with the
international law", he said.

On January 12, Constitutional Court of Armenia recognized the
commitments, fixed in the Armenian-Turkish Protocols, meeting
Armenia’s Constitution. According to CC decision, the commitments,
established by the Protocols, are of mutual interstate nature and
cannot cover the third countries. CC also noted that opening of the
Armenian- Turkish border is a priority provision of the Protocols,
and all the other commitments acquire legal force only in case of
the borders opened. After that, Turkish FM said in its statement that
the decision of Armenia’s CC on recognition of the Armenian-Turkish
Protocols complying with the Constitution contains preconditions and
restriction provisions, which do not meet the Protocols signed in
Zurich on October 10, 2009. The both documents must be approved by
the two countries’ parliaments to take effect.