“It is surprising that many people say the Armenian-Turkish protocols do not contain any preconditions. There are many of them,” Director of the Institute of History, Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Ashot Melkonyan stated at today’s parliament hearings of the protocols. It would be right if the sides reverted to the 1993 situation, when the border was open, he said. Melkonyan pointed out present-day borders are not fixed under any legal agreement, as Armenia did not sign the Kars Treaty – Turkey spares no effort to make “de facto” “de jure”.

Addressing the point on the scientific subcommittee, Melkonyan said: “When I was told that it would not be a committee of historians, but an intergovernmental committee, I was happy that I would not have to work there. I am sorry for the people that are going to work in the committee.”

Melkonyan also stressed that the protocols must remain in force provided all the points are strictly followed. Turkey may find a pretext to close the border again, whereas the relevant point will remain in force.