EU welcomes signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols, expressing regret that the right moment for ratification of the documents was lost due to Turkey’s non-constructive stance, says a statement approved by the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Commission following its meeting in Brussels, Dec. 1-2.

The document calls on the sides to continue efforts to normalize Armenian-Turkish relations. The committee also calls on Turkey to unblock the border with Armenia before the ratification as a goodwill gesture and to normalize diplomatic relations without any preconditions. The statement underscores that the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation and Karabakh peace process are not stipulated by each other. Reference to the resolution of the European Parliament as of June 1987 on political solution of the Armenian issue is made. European Parliament’s resolution recognizes the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire in the early 20 century.

The authors of the document express consent with the fact that Armenia respects cultural monuments of other nations located on its territory.