As was expected, RA Parliament today disappointed everyone by its cursory approach to the crucial issues. The debates on Armenia-Turkey Protocols were held based on the following primitive principle: MPs were guessing whether there are preconditions in the Protocols or not. Meanwhile, professional study of the international documents as well as the consequences of their signing is within the scope of the experienced law experts and political analysts.

Political discussion was stalemated in the following presentation: enmity with Turkey is disadvantageous, but friendship is hazardous contrariwise. The MPs were mostly concerned over the fact whether Protocols’ signing will entail oblivion of the Genocide as historical fact or negative developments in Karabakh peace process. The whole thing beard resemblance of the guess-work, as not a single parliamentarian outlined the possible scenarios of actions by Turkey, Azerbaijan, as well as other regional actors and international heavyweights after the documents come into effect.

International climate that brought to the revival of dialogue between the countries was not analyzed as well. MPs slipped over the matter of Armenia-Turkey talks’ impact on Azerbaijan and the stance of its political elite.

No opinion on further strategy of Armenia in energy policy in the region was voiced, though energy priorities of Turkey, U.S. and EU played crucial role in the process. Nor a scintilla of the Kurdish issue settlement significance (though these two processes develop simultaneously in Turkey), as well as prospects of Ankara joining EU and Europe’s position on the matter were discussed.

It remained unclear why the U.S., Russia and EU took the unified position on the regional problems and how Turkey won a mandate for public statements on Karabakh issue. What aims does U.S. pursue, what does Russia fear, why is Iran silent — all these questions are off the discussion. As if the world political beau monde is concerned about nothing but Karabakh peace process and the Genocide, or international political problems do not reflect the processes in the region.

Finally, honorable Armenian MPs, representing the voice of people in the Parliament asked each other rhetorical questions, giving equally ‘exhaustive’ responses. The Protocols’ fate is foreclosed, while we will learn of the consequences once they occur.

Armen Gevorgyan