SERGE SARGSYAN RULES OUT FAILURE OF RATIFICATION PROCESS BY ARMENIA
Lragir.am
10/02/10
Holding a speech in the Chattem House British Royal Institute of
International Affairs Serge Sargsyan said that he rules out the
failure of the ratification of the Armenian and Turkish protocols in
the Armenian National Assembly, if they are ratified by Turkey.
Speaking at this esteemed institution today, I reiterate the commitment
of the Republic of Armenia to this process. As the political leader
of the political majority of the Armenian Parliament, I reiterate
that I rule out any possibility of the Armenian Parliament failing
to ratify the protocols in case Turkey ratifies the protocols without
preconditions, as agreed.
However, they ought to remember that in case of Armenia they deal
with a country, which persevered throughout the process and did not
stop even in spite of losing a key ally in the ruling coalition. I am
confident that President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan will, subject
to the demonstration of political will, find sufficient support within
their party that holds the majority of seats in the Turkish Parliament.
We are confident that the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations
can become the greatest input of the recent decades in achieving peace
and stability in the South Caucasus. With this vision, we have agreed
to move forward without any preconditions, not making our relations
contingent upon Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
However, if, as many suspect, it is proven that Turkey’s goal is
to protract, rather than to normalize relations, we will have to
discontinue the process.
I would not claim that the process has so far been easy. It is common
knowledge that Turkey repeatedly attempted to voice preconditions
related to the resolution of the Mountainous Karabakh issue. It is,
however, obvious that attempts to link these two processes will
undermine both the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations and the
talks around the Karabakh issue. I, however, believe that the rapid
normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations can set an example of a
proactive problem-solving attitude that will positively stimulate
and set an example the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.
I would like to take one step further and inform you that I am going
to invite President Aliyev to the potential opening ceremony of the
Armenian-Turkish border. I believe it can serve as an essential
and in some ways exemplary measure for the region, which will
clearly demonstrate how existing problems should be solved and that
every conflict, even the stalest one, can be resolved by means of
negotiations and the ability to look truth in the eye. I am sure that
the best way to facilitate the resolution of the Karabakh issue is
setting the example of one’s own country being able to resolve issues
for the benefit of the whole region.
Yesterday, I was inquired about how one should present facts related
to the Armenian Genocide to Great Britain, and whether Great Britain,
by recognizing the Armenian Genocide, would not harm security in
the Caucasus. I responded that there are numerous countries that do
not need these facts to be presented to them, because they have vast
archives of their own regarding the Armenian Genocide. What is needed
here is other work.
Armenian-British relations did not start after the collapse of the
USSR. They date back to centuries. Exceptional and genuine interest
has been demonstrated by British society in respect of the tragedies
that befell the Armenian people at different times in history and
their fate, as best illustrated by the powerful humanitarian movement
that started in Britain in support of Armenians and the amazing
philanthropic activities of the British people that were the first to
reach out with protest in support of the Armenian people surviving the
Genocide. The British people learnt about the Armenian Genocide from
the well-known works and statements of James Bryce, Arnold Toynbee,
William Gladstone, and Lloyd George.