The call by the Armenakan-Liberal Party (Ramkavar)
The republican department of the Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party issued a statement today:
"Two months have passed since the signing of the Turkey-Armenia interstate Protocols (October 10), but there is still no progress toward ratification of the Protocols. The Turkish side is delaying the ratification of the Protocols as it continues to link this process with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan is taking advantage of this policy by coarsening its position and continuing its policy of threats with bellicose statements.
At the time, the Armenian authorities did not save efforts to explain to all Armenians the importance of the ratification of the Protocols in terms of being an alternative, having a transit road, economic development and strengthening of political positions in the region. Another important reason was that Armenia must once and for all establish diplomatic relations with neighboring Turkey and lead a dialogue by standing in equal positions.
According to the Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party, in the current conditions when Turkey continues to set preconditions at different levels, the official Yerevan must coarsen its position and set its conditions as well. The current international political state created in the region after the signing of the Protocols is rather favorable for Armenia and we think that Armenia should take the road toward coarsening of the political position. The attempts by Turkey to link the issue of the Protocols with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict clearly show that the official Ankara is not sincere in its declarations about normalizing relations with Armenia and is trying to impede the process of a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Armenia must call the world's attention to the fact that the establishment of normal relations between both countries will contribute to the improvement of the political climate in the region and create an atmosphere of mutual confidence. In regard to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia must enhance its policy and continue to raise the issue of Genocide recognition at international courts and condemn Turkey for its policy of denial.
In order to lead a policy of initiator, the Armenian authorities must join a number of conventions, particularly the well-known UN Convention on "Transit Trade of Land-Locked States" of which Turkey is also a member. If Armenia joins this international convention, it may demand that its neighboring countries create the best possible conditions for transit. By joining this UN Convention, Armenia will have additional levers.
The Armenakan-Ramkavar Liberal Party calls on the Armenian authorities to lead daring and active policy on the ratification of the Turkey-Armenia Protocols. The time has come for the Republic of Armenia to replace the former defensive policy with daring positions and coarsen its approaches," as stated in the statement.
