It is in incorrect to link Armenia-Turkey reconciliation with Karabakh conflict settlement process, as they are not interrelated, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said at the Jan. 14 press conference in Yerevan.

“Russia backs Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, however the lay down of any artificial demands in this context is wrong and improper,” Lavrov stated. He also underlined that Russia is interested in early ratification of the Protocols, adding that the sooner they are ratified the better for the region. “In its turn Russia is ready to render infrastructural as well as energy and communicational assistance once the parties are ready,” Russian FM outlined.

Commenting on the opinion that his visit is related to Erdogan’s arrival in Moscow, Lavrov said, “The arrangement on my visit to Armenia was reached 1.5 months ago in the frames of OSCE ministerial council in Athens, whereas agreement on Erdogan’s visit to Moscow talks – several days ago. These visits bear no connection with one another, just as RA Defense Minster’s arrival in Moscow. By the way, the issues on expansion of bilateral military-strategic cooperation and intensification of collaboration in the frames of CSTO will be discussed in the course of this visit.”

Commenting on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian pointed out that Armenia is decided about early ratification of the Protocols. “The thing is that unlike Turkey the procedure of international Protocols’ ratification in Armenia is more complicated. First, the documents should be considered in the Constitutional Court. In this case RA CC made a judgment over a day, while it could take longer,” Nalbandian outlined, adding that this fact also proves Armenia’s aspiration to ratify the Protocols shortly. As to Turkey, RA Foreign Minister reckons that Protocols are being considered by Turkish Parliament since October, 2009. “We’d rather not think that Turkey blocks the Protocols deliberately and believe that Turkish Parliament will protract the ratification process,” Nalbandian concluded.

A.G.