The US has welcomed a ruling by Armenia’s Constitutional Court, despite Turkish claims that it runs counter to Turkish-Armenian rapprochement accords.

“We view the court decision as a positive step forward in the ratification process of the normalization protocols between Turkey and Armenia,” US Assistant Secretary of StatePhilip Gordon said in written comments sent to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “The court decision permits the protocols, as they were negotiated and signed, to move forward towards parliamentary ratification, and does not appear to limit or qualify them in any way.”

“We are confident that both Turkey and Armenia take their commitment to the protocols seriously, and we urge timely ratification of the protocols by both countries,” added Gordon.

Despite Gordon’s upbeat statement on the court ruling, the situation remains tense with the vast majority of Armenians — especially Armenian Americans — opposing the protocols. The Armenian National Committee of America responded to Asst. Secretary Gordon’s interpretation of the accords.

“Assistant Secretary Gordon, rather than constantly arm-twisting Armenia, this time in the form of public statements misreading the Armenian Constitutional Court’s decision on the Protocols — or, more precisely, reading the State Department’s interests into its legally binding limits and qualifications — should leave decisions regarding the rights, security, and future of the Armenian nation to the Armenian people,” said Aram Hamparian, executive director of the ANCA.

“Our position remains the same,” said Gordon. “We support the normalization process, which we believe contributes to peace and stability in the Caucasus. What is critical is to keep the parties focused on the vital importance of moving ahead.”