The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has presented draft amendments to the Armenian-Turkish Protocols to the Armenian political forces.

The ARF mainly objects to the points on a commission to study historical facts and on the mutual recognition of borders. Talking to NEWS.am, Eduard Sharmazanov, Secretary of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction, pointed out that some of the ARF-drafted amendments are acceptable. “Specifically, the party proposes a provision on a dialogue without any preconditions. On the other hand, why should the text be amended if it is clear as it is?” Sharmazanov said.

As regards the ARF;s objections to the point on mutual recognition of borders, which, the party believes, means Armenia’s renouncing any territorial claims on Turkey, he said: “During the whole history of the Third Republic, no government, including the one with ARF as part thereof, has stated Armenia has any territorial claims on Turkey.” Of course, the RPA expresses its all-out support for the Armenian-Turkish Protocol and is not going to propose any modifications. “They are unprecedented protocols, which do not contain a point challenging the Armenian Genocide or one on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Both President Serzh Sargsyan and international representatives made relevant statements. We should trust our leaders after all,” Sharmazanov said.

As regards he Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), it has not yet had time to examine the ARF’s proposals. However, Aram Safaryan, Secretary of the PAP faction, told NEWS.am that the party has prepared a number of proposals. He did not provide any further information as the faction decided to wait until the RA President’s meeting with the Armenian political forces.

The Heritage Party has not decided on whether it will take part in the meeting. Board Chairman Armen Martirosyan pointed out that the party prepared ten proposals that are mostly similar to the ARF-prepared ones.

On September 17, the Armenian President and Armenian political forces are to discuss Armenian-Turkish relations. The Armenian National Congress led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan refuses to take part in the meeting.