Yerevan internal political consultations on Armenia-Turkey normalization are scheduled today, September 17. The discussion of Armenia-Turkey Protocols issued under Swiss mediation is focal point of RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s meeting with local political forces.

Armenian National Congress headed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan refused to take part in the meeting. Being the main opposition (out-Parliament party), ANC scheduled a protest action for Sept. 18.

The two Protocols provide for a framework for Armenia-Turkey normalization. The political consultations will be completed within six weeks, to be further signed and submitted to the both countries’ Parliaments for the ratification. In case Parliaments ratify the document, Turkey will have to open the border within two months and establish diplomatic relations with Armenia without preconditions.

However, Armenian opposition insists that the recognition of the present Turkish state borders implies Armenia’s consent with historically losing Kars Treaty.
According to critics, another provision in the Protocols stipulates creation of the sub-commission on historical issues, that means impeachment of Genocide fact, recognized by a number of states and Parliaments around the globe. Thus, RA President Serzh Sargsyan is to chase away the worries of the opposition, but mainly to reason his case.

Turkish Government is also under the pressure these days, as the internal political consultations on the Protocols have already started. NEWS.am keeps an open eye on Turkish opposition criticism as well as the Governmental efforts to neutralize it.