Representatives of fourteen political forces of Armenia and of public organizations, protesting against the Armenian-Turkish protocols, held a meeting in Yerevan to exchange views on the Armenian-Turkish process and present their plans to struggle against the protocols.

The meeting approved a statement, saying: “The Armenian-Turkish protocols, which are in Ankara’s interests, became an obstacle to the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.” According to the statement, the process resulted in greater international pressure on Yerevan in the context of relations with Ankara and Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. “The Armenian-Turkish process enhanced Ankara’s international reputation and enabled Baku to make more frequent bellicose statements.” The authors of the statement stress that the main aim of their struggle is to get official Yerevan to withdraw its signature from the Armenian-Turkish protocols or ratify the documents without any preconditions. Specifically, in ratifying the documents the Armenian side must stress that the provisions exclusively apply to the two nations, and can by no means apply to a third one, particularly Nagorno-Karabakh.

The authors of the statement insist that official Yerevan clearly stated that the approval of the protocols can by no means make the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey a subject for discussions. The Armenian side must also show that the Armenian-Turkish border must be established under a special international treaty. The protocols must contain a provision granting Armenia the right to withdraw from the process if Turkey refuses to honor the reservations. The authors of the statement also demand that the RA Parliament adopt a law that would provide criminal punishment for denying the Armenian Genocide.

The participants in the meeting state they will continue their struggle against the Armenian-Turkish protocols within the Armenian law and Constitution.

NEWS.am reminds readers that 250,000 Armenians citizens have been involved in a signature-gathering campaign against the Armenian-Turkish protocols. A year ago a road map was published, which later served as a basis for the Armenian-Turkish protocols.

T.P.