Speaking to Hurriyet newspaper, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian expressed discontent of Armenia on the delay of ratification of Turkey-Armenia protocols. Nalbandian stated that the path through ratification of protocols is difficult for both countries but the process is supported by whole world.
Meeting a group of Turkish journalist in Yerevan, Nalbandian said, “Armenia follows her own path in the process of ratification of protocols... I do not know what is happening in Turkey. The process has stuck in Turkish Parliament.”
Armenian government has started the process of ratification. Zurich protocols that were signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian are sent to Armenian Constitutional Court for evaluation of their convenience with Armenian constitutional law. In the case of approval of the protocols by Constitutional Court, Armenia will send the protocols to External Affairs Committee of the Armenian Parliament. Then protocols will be introduced to General Assembly and will be voted.
Nalbandian did not specify a certain date for ratification of protocols but he said that the process should last a reasonable period of time.
Stressing that Turkey and Armenia, two neighbouring countries that do not have any relation with each other, came to the point of signing protocols by the political will of both sides, Nalbandian said, “If any party prevent this to happen or if one of them fabricates obstacles, this would be considered as disrespect.”
Stating that he hopes for ratification process to progress healthfully, Nalbandian stressed that there are not any preconditions in protocols.
Turkey has announced that protocols will not be ratified by Turkish Grand National Assembly unless Armenia makes steps towards resolution of Nagorno Karabakh problem. On the other hand, Armenia stresses that two process are separate and they do not affect each other.
Nalbandian said, “Of cource linking two processes is an obstacle. We signed protocols. Did Armenia set any preconditions? No.”
