Turkish, Armenian speakers mull reconciliation deal
Ratifying the recently signed agreement on mending
Turkey-Armenia relations topped the agenda of a meeting between the
Grand National Assembly chairman with his Armenian counterpart in
Moscow on Monday.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin’s talks with Ovik Abramyan took place on the sidelines of a session of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organization.
Abramyan said Yerevan considers as pivotal to approve the protocols signed last month over an acceptable timeframe, according to the Armenian parliament’s press-service.
Turkey and Armenia have faced differences for decades. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on the alleged World War I-era genocide. In a bid to normalize ties, Turkey signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen its border with Armenia in Zurich on October 10, sparking concerns in Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally. However, Ankara has ruled out their approval in the Grand National Assembly before progress is made in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
During the Moscow meeting, the Turkish and Armenian speakers welcomed efforts of the two countries’ presidents in fostering a rapprochement, saying their bold steps had paved the way for normalizing ties between the two nations. According to the Armenian parliament, the two agreed to maintain relations both on the private level and between the two countries’ legislatures.
CNN Turk TV channel has quoted the Turkish speaker as saying after the meeting that Ankara was pursuing a policy of maintaining good neighborliness ties with all of its neighbors, including Armenia. According to him, Turkey has benefited from the speakers’ meeting, and his counterpart Abramyan is of the same opinion.
Sahin said the protocols signed with Armenia had been sent to the Grand National Assembly and were under consideration at its foreign affairs commission, adding, however, that it was currently uncertain when the documents would be ratified.
"Neither I nor the government can instruct the commission. The commission determines the agenda on its own. So, when they will review the protocols and what decision will be made – that I can’t say now," Sahin said.*
Turkish Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin’s talks with Ovik Abramyan took place on the sidelines of a session of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) organization.
Abramyan said Yerevan considers as pivotal to approve the protocols signed last month over an acceptable timeframe, according to the Armenian parliament’s press-service.
Turkey and Armenia have faced differences for decades. Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 due to Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory and claims on the alleged World War I-era genocide. In a bid to normalize ties, Turkey signed protocols to establish diplomatic relations and reopen its border with Armenia in Zurich on October 10, sparking concerns in Azerbaijan, Turkey’s ally. However, Ankara has ruled out their approval in the Grand National Assembly before progress is made in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh.
During the Moscow meeting, the Turkish and Armenian speakers welcomed efforts of the two countries’ presidents in fostering a rapprochement, saying their bold steps had paved the way for normalizing ties between the two nations. According to the Armenian parliament, the two agreed to maintain relations both on the private level and between the two countries’ legislatures.
CNN Turk TV channel has quoted the Turkish speaker as saying after the meeting that Ankara was pursuing a policy of maintaining good neighborliness ties with all of its neighbors, including Armenia. According to him, Turkey has benefited from the speakers’ meeting, and his counterpart Abramyan is of the same opinion.
Sahin said the protocols signed with Armenia had been sent to the Grand National Assembly and were under consideration at its foreign affairs commission, adding, however, that it was currently uncertain when the documents would be ratified.
"Neither I nor the government can instruct the commission. The commission determines the agenda on its own. So, when they will review the protocols and what decision will be made – that I can’t say now," Sahin said.*
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