Serzh Sarsgayn’s patience is exhausted
Did Serzh Sargsyan need a year and a half to understand that the Armenian-Turkish Protocols carry preconditions?
A1+ addressed the question to Republican Party Speaker Edward Sharmazanov on April 23. The latter disagreed with us stating, "Turkey says one thing, and does another. Turkey's words conflict with the signed protocols. Our patience was exhausted when Edogan announced in Washington that the Armenian-Turkish border would not reopen unless the Karabakh conflict was settled. Serzh Sargsyan suspended the ratification process as he realized that Turkey is not ready for the process."
Yesterday a number of political forces demanded to withdraw Armenia's signature under the Protocols and Armenian National Congress announced that the President's decision was not complete.
"We think that our decision is complete and it stems from the country's interests," said the Republican spokesman.
"President Sargsyan confirmed Armenia's commitment to normalize relations without preconditions, announcing not termination but suspension of the ratification process. Armenia didn't withdraw its signature from Protocols. Armenia has frozen the ratification process due to Turkey's unwillingness to normalize relations without preconditions. We shall resume the process if Turkey takes practical steps. Mr. Sargsyan's decision was a signal for both international community and Ankara. Armenia must further its efforts towards the universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide."
Edward Sahrmazanov dispelled the rumors that Serzh Sargsyan made the decision after consulting with his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev.
"Before his departure to Washington President Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia had already made a decision which would be publicized in due time. I don't think that Armenia has appeared in a state that it must succumb to outer pressure.
Armenia's rating has increased worldwide and I think Turkey already realizes that it cannot speak to its neighbours in a language of ultimatums. NKR status remains the core issue in talks today and the conflict settlement will accelerate after the suspension of the ratification process."
Asked whether Serzh Sargsyan might resign for the sake of Armenia and Karabakh, Mr. Sharmazanov said, "The question is ungrounded as the country is not at a deadlock. Serzh Sargsyan is powerful thanks to his team and his course of policy. He has been able to boost Armenia's image overseas. No one else can be able to understand and address Armenia's problems like him."
