Armenian-Turkish protocols do not fully satisfy either side: Armenian political expert

Day.Az: Serzh Sargsyan visited the return football match between Turkey and Armenia. What do you think will be the outcome of his visit?

Sergey Minasyan: Naturally, the visit was not just related to the protocols. There was a frank and detailed exchange of views between the two presidents at the current stage of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. It is also clear that further steps of the sides including those related to the possible ratification of two protocols were discussed in Bursa.

Q: How do you comment on Armenian-Turkish protocols signed in Zurich on Oct. 10?

A: It is extremely important and crucial step in the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey. Documents are result of long negotiations, including with the assistance of third countries. It is obvious that the protocols were made possible only because of political will and determination of the parties to some compromises. Consequently, the protocols do not fully satisfy either side. Both Armenian and Turkish sides have reason to say that they made certain concessions (which led to strong criticism towards the documents within societies and political elites in Armenia and Turkey).

However, after the signing of the protocols in Zurich one can definitely say that the Armenian-Turkish process of full normalization of relations and the opening of borders, in spite of all the possible complications, can no longer be stopped.

Q: Will signing of the protocols be followed by ratification of the Armenian parliament?

A: The ruling coalition in Armenia has a majority in the parliament, so ratification of documents technically poses no difficulty for the Armenian side. According to many experts, the process of ratification may face bigger problems in the parliament of Turkey. Therefore, it seems that the Armenian side will wait for ratification by the Turkish parliament, and only after that the National Assembly of Armenia will also ratify them.

Q: Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian did not rule out the possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border this year. Do you share this optimism with him?

A: I do not exclude such a development, but all will depend on how and in what time frame ratification of the protocols will happen. "The counter" of concrete further steps by the sides including the opening of Turkey's borders with Armenia will be “switched on” only after ratification by the parliament and the parliaments exchange documents of ratification. If the process of ratification delays, of course, opening borders will also delay. And vice versa ...

Q:Tripartite meeting of the presidents in Chisinau on Oct. 8, signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10, sensational Armenia-Turkey return football match in Bursa on Oct. 14 ... In the rush of these events on Oct. 12 Serzh Sargsyan tripped to Moscow for a meeting with Dmitry Medvedev. What can be the reason for the visit prior to the football match?

A: This is regular "verification of hours" between the two allies and partners. The presidents discussed the possibility of further development of bilateral relations on the eve of a significant reformatting of regional policy in the South Caucasus in light of the Armenian-Turkish process. It is no accident that after Sargsyan-Medvedev meeting, besides further development of bilateral cooperation in transport and communications, and military-technical spheres, it was also announced the possible involvement of Russia in building new nuclear power plant in Armenia "in exchange" for fall in price of gas supplied by Russia in 2010.

/Day.Az/