IF TURKEY DOES NOT RATIFY ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS, ARMENIA HAS NO UNILATERAL OBLIGATION TO DO SO, EDWARD SHARMAZANOV SAYS
Noyan Tapan
Nov 6, 2009
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. IF the Foreign Relations Committee
of the Turkish parliament does not release a positive recommendation
about the Armenia-Turkey protocols by December 7, the Turkish prime
minister will not be given a cordial welcome in Washington, moreover,
he will not be received at all. Sposkesman for the Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) Edward Sharmazanov made this statement at the November
6 press conference. In his words, the fact that U.S. has always
welcomed RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s policy full of initiative
and has repeatedly said that Armenian-Turkish normalization should
proceed without any preconditions gives an occasion to think so.
"To establish relations with Turkey at any price is not our goal," E.
Sharmazanov said. According to him, in the 21st century, it is
necessary and appropriate for any European country to have open
borders. "Let Turkey decide whether it corresponds to the standards
of a European state or not," RPA’s spokesman noted. He said that
if Turkey does not ratify the protocols, Armenia has no unilateral
obligation to do so.
Speaking about the Karabakh conflict, E. Sharmazanov said he does
not see its resolution in the near future because the problem is
very complex. "The issue of status is the most important one. The
Azerbaijanis should put the idea of Karabakh’s being part of Azerbaijan
out of their heads," he declared. E. Sharmazanov also advised the
Turks to think about the fact that they have occupied 37% of the
territory of Cyprus, and only after that to demand some territories
for Azerbaijan from Armenia.