FM: ARMENIA DEALS TO BE RATIFIED WHEN CONDITIONS RIPE

Today’s Zaman
April 27 2010
Turkey

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday defended the government’s
efforts to normalize relations with neighboring Armenia and warned
that Turkey had the right to take necessary measures should Armenia
distort two protocols on restoring the ties.

Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, signed
the two protocols in October but they are yet to be ratified in the
national parliaments — a necessary condition for their implementation
— amid mutual accusations of belatedly added preconditions. Turkey
says a decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on the protocols
interprets them in a way that misrepresent their objectives.

Armenia, on the other hand, says Turkey has linked the process to the
Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan although this
contravenes the text of the protocols.

Davutoglu, speaking at a parliamentary session, gave assurances to the
opposition that the protocols will go into force only on the condition
that they are implemented without any alteration. "We will make sure
that there will be no confusion or grey area in the implementation of
the protocols," he told deputies. "We have the right to take necessary
measures if the protocols are interpreted in a way that contradicts
their letter and spirit. … Our parliaments will ratify the protocols
when political conditions are ripe."

The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist
Movement Party (MHP) object to the protocols, saying they harm
Turkey’s relations with Azerbaijan, an ethnic and regional ally of
Turkey and a key gas supplier. Deniz BölukbaÅ~_ı, a deputy from the
MHP, said after Davutoglu’s speech that the signing of the protocols
with Armenia was a "historical mistake" as Armenia still refuses to
formally recognize its borders with Turkey and keeps Nagorno-Karabakh
and adjacent territory in Azerbaijani land under occupation.

CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Oymen criticized the government’s pledges
to continue with the normalization process with Armenia despite
the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court. "This decision is
irreversible. How can you say you will ratify the protocols despite
this decision?" Oymen asked in Parliament.

Davutoglu, on the other hand, said normal ties with neighbors are a
key element for peace in the Caucasus and that the government would
continue with its initiative for normal ties with Armenia despite
obstacles raised in Armenia and in other parts of the world by the
Armenian diaspora. "We can opt for preserving the status quo and we
can live happily and comfortably for a while as a result. But we will
end up leaving a troubled Caucasus to our grandchildren," he said.

"The status quo in the Caucasus is not in the interests of Turkey
or Azerbaijan or Armenia or Russia but so far no brave step has been
taken to change it. Now, what we want is to change it."

The foreign minister also said Turkey was acting in full coordination
with Azerbaijan. "No development can harm the friendship between
Turkey and Azerbaijan," he said.