EU encourages Armenia and Turkey to remain committed to the process of normalization and calls on both states to ratify and implement the Protocols without preconditions and in a reasonable timeframe, reads the statement by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

“In this context, the EU welcomes the decision of the Armenian President to submit both protocols to the parliament as well as the recent declaration by the President of Turkey to remain committed to the normalization of relations with Armenia. The European Union believes that the full normalization of bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution to security, stability and cooperation in the Southern Caucasus. The EU will continue to provide its political and technical support to this process and stands ready to help implementing the steps agreed between the two countries,” the statement says.

Armenia-Turkey Protocols were signed in Zurich, October 10, 2009 to be ratified by both countries’ parliaments.