Armenia recalls Armenian-Turkish protocols from parliament

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has sent a letter on Monday to the Speaker of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan, informing about his decision to recall the Armenian-Turkish Protocols from the National Assembly. The letter reads, in part:

“Respected Mr. Sahakyan,

When launching the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions, we were fully aware of all possible scenarios of future developments. We were ready for both comprehensive normalization of relations through ratification of the protocols and their failure. We had nothing to conceal, as it would become clear to the world which party was guilty of missing the chance to open the last closed border in Europe.

Almost six years have passed from the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Throughout this period Armenia has consistently backed the realization of the protocols.

However, we cannot but stress the lack of political will on the part of Turkey, the distortion of the letter and spirit of the protocols and the continuous attempts to pose preconditions. Parallel to that, on the threshold of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the policy of denial and revision of history gains new momentum.

I have said on many occasions that time is not inexhaustible. I last did it from the podium of the UN General Assembly in September 2014. It’s a pity that this call failed to reach the Turkish leadership.

Therefore, I have decided to recall the protocols on the “Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” and “Development of Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” from the National Assembly".

The protocols on the “Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” and “Development of Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” were signed by Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Turkey in Zurich in October 2009. The protocols were later not ratified by the parliaments of the two countries.

In April 2010 the Armenian president signed a decree on suspension of the ratification of the Armenian-Turkish protocols.