Armenia sought to manage the relations with neighboring countries properly and in accord with civilization principles and yesterday’s Protocols made an opportunity for this, RA President Serzh Sargsyan stated at the meeting with Foreign Ministry General Staff, Armenian diplomatic representatives and consulates’ heads.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish relations, Serzh Sargsyan noted: “As is known, yesterday a joint statement on Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization was issued. Two Protocols: ‘Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations’ and ‘Protocol on the development of bilateral relations’ were released as well. The documents reflect entirety of the agreements reached to date.”

Serzh Sargsyan reminded he had already stated last year what objectives he pursued, while inviting Turkish President to Armenia. “Armenia conciliated the possibility of Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization,” Sargsyan added.

The President considers the issued documents reflect three pivotal fundamentals:

1. Like was repeatedly stated, Turkish-Armenian talks and reached agreements do not comprise the precondition linked with Nagorno-Karabakh peace process or any related issue.

2. As we asserted, historical issues related to Armenian-Turkish relations should be discussed at the level of one of the sub-commissions, not historians’ commission.

3. Public discussion will precede the signing of topical international document first time in Armenian history. It would create the possibility to heed all the opinions and approaches.

Sargsyan called Armenian diplomats to be proactive. “You should take active participation in public discussions both in Armenia and Diaspora. You have to provide thorough explanations and clarifications of the Protocols’ provisions, outlining all positive and disputable constituents,” the President concluded, stressing that documents would be widely discussed by communities in Diaspora and international analytical centers.