Armenia’s leading opposition group on Friday slammed President Serge Sarkisian’s government for reaching a “deadlock” in efforts to normalize ties with Turkey after decades of hostility.
Sarkisian announced Thursday that Armenia was halting ratification of two protocols signed in October to establish diplomatic relations and re-open the two countries’ border. He insisted however that Armenia was not withdrawing from the process and hoped for further progress.
The opposition Armenian National Congress led by former president Levon Ter-Petrossian said in a statement that Sarkisian had damaged Armenia’s international image and called for his government to resign.
“By on the one hand suspending the ratification process and on the other hand expressing their readiness to continue it, the authorities have effectively recognized that they have reached a deadlock and have no further plan of action,” the statement said.
“The authorities have damaged the image of Armenia as a reliable partner and created the basis for presenting Armenia as a destructive country on the international scene. The only way out of this process is the resignation of the regime and the formation of a legitimate government,” it said.
Armenian officials blamed Turkey for stalling ratification of the deal and accused Ankara of setting a new condition by linking reconciliation efforts with Armenia’s conflict with Turkish ally Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Armenia’s opposition has accused Sarkisian of fixing the February 2008 election that saw him defeat Ter-Petrossian. Mass protests followed the election and 11 people were killed when riot police dispersed thousands of opposition supporters who had gathered to protest the result.
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