Armenian political scientist Ara Papyan: "Armenia can challenge lawfulness of the construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad"

The former ambassador noted that the arbitrary decision of the US president about the Armenian borders, adopted by the Sevres treaty, signed between Armenia and Turkey in 1920, remains in effect. He said the decision will be in force until Armenia signs new contracts on borders and recognizes the current border with Turkey in line with the international law.

He said Turkey and the United States have no legal document, in which the United States recognizes the Turkish borders, adding that Woodrow Wilson's decision approved by the state seal, is still valid and has a power of a law, mandatory for execution by the said country.

"Diplomatic relations between the two countries do not prove that the countries mutually recognize the borders. Even becoming the UN member, a country is only recognized as a legal subject, but not in the framework of its borders", said Papyan. He noted that even after Sovetization of Armenia, the texts and maps of the League of Nations showed the eastern border of Turkey in line with Wilson's decision until 1924.

According to Papyan, the Kars treaty, signed in 1921, has not the power of an international law. He noted that the contract was signed not by the subjects of international law, who signed the Sevres treaty, but by the Kemal Turkey and Soviet republics.

Papyan said "Armenian still has legal international right for a part of the territories of eastern Turkey. "Armenia demands from Turkey not the lands, but recognition of its violating of the international law and the decision of the arbitrary court of a third country, according to which Armenia retains its right for these lands", explained the head of the Center of Public Research, noting that the post-Soviet Armenia as an assignee of the first republic, also remains the assignee of the borders, fixed by that arbitrage.

The former ambassador said Armenia is still able to claim its right for these territories, which were to be transferred to it in line with the Sevres treaty in the court. He said Armenia has a right to offer to Turkey to rent these lands or to use them jointly.

Therefore, the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad is illegal without Armenia's participation, which may even claim for the rental fee for the transit of these projects via its territories, according to Papyan. He also offered to the Armenian authorities to insist on withdrawal of Turkey's armed forces from those territories, leaving only the divisions for restoration of public order. "The vitally important issue of the national security of Armenia will thus be settled", said the former ambassador of Armenia to Canada.

Papyan said Armenia will not be able to ensure its security only by strengthening its military might. It also needs skillful diplomacy and persons well acquainted with the international law.

/Regnum/