Armenia-Turkey Protocols signing ceremony, Zurich, October 10, 2009.
Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan has written an official letter to the Chairman of the National Assembly, Galust Sahakyan informing him of his decision to recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols from parliament.
In his letter, Sargsyan says that prior to embarking on the process of normalizing Armenia-Turkey relations, the Armenian side had taken into account all possible future developments. The president stressed that just as they were prepared for the regulation of relations via the ratification of the protocols, they were also prepared for their failure. “…We had nothing to hide and it will become clear to the international community, as to who is responsible for the last closed border in Europe…” the letter reads.
“Almost six years have passed since the signing of the Armenia-Turkey protocols. During this entire time, Armenia has always illustrated a consistent position regarding the implementation of the protocols. However, it is necessary to point out the absence of political will by Turkey’s rulers, and the distortion of the spirit and letter of the protocols and the continual discussion of preconditions. Parallel to this, on the cusp of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the policy of denialism and the editing of history has gained more impetus,” Sargsyan’s letter states.
The President said that he has used every opportunity to raise this issue, including from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly in September, 2014 when he made some tough statements about Turkey’s intransigence and unwillingness to ratify the protocols.
“It pains me that Armenia’s entreaties were not heard by the leaders of Turkey. Thereby, I have taken a decision to recall the Armenia-Turkey protocols, signed on October 10, 2009 in Zurich, from the National Assembly.”
