“It is essential that Armenia-Turkey Protocols were signed without any amendments, any preconditions as Armenian side and RA President have repeatedly stated,” stated Eduard Sharmazanov, the Secretary of ruling Republican Faction told NEWS.am.

“As to the delay of the signing, according to recent information the matter was as follows: Karabakh was mentioned in the final statement of Turkish side. I suppose that Nalbandyan clearly defended the positions of Armenian side,” said Sharmazanov.

Earlier RA MFA Press Secretary Balayan explained the reason for the delay – the Turkish side’s attempt to include a phrase in the final statement, which was unacceptable to the Armenian side. “We managed to thwart the attempts,” said Balayan. He did not go into details concerning the wording. He pointed out that the sides decided to refrain from any final statements.

There was a phrase mentioning Karabakh in the text of Turkish side’s final statement, Turkish Zaman daily reports, referring to diplomatic sources. Armenian side expressed its protest.