Armenia-Turkey Protocols’ signing is an important step, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, Turkish Hurriyet daily reports.

“The Protocols’ signing is an important step. Let’s remember that in 2005 I sent a letter and suggested to solve the issue, however failed to get the response. We said — zero problems with neighbors. If the problems are solved it will give full scope for the cooperation with Armenia in all spheres. The final word is that of the Turkish Parliament. Armenia and Azerbaijan should settle Karabakh conflict on the same track, it is our objective. If the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute moves toward a solution, our public will want the normalization of the Turkish-Armenian relationship.

Earlier I said that Protocols should enter the Parliament. What will be decided on Armenia-Azerbaijan issue in the Turkish parliament?

Since 2003 we have displayed signs of goodwill. We simplified admission for Armenian citizens to Turkey. In 2005 I proposed the then Armenian President to withdraw an accusation, saying we will leave historical issues to be examined by historians’ commission, let them study the archives. We will assess their conclusion and pass the verdict. The majority of our parliamentarians furthered that process.

We will not adopt a positive approach unless Armenia withdraws from the ‘occupied’ Azerbaijani territory,” Erdogan said.

In case the Protocols signed October 10 are ratified by the both countries’ parliaments, Turkey will be obliged to open the Armenian-Turkish border within next two months. October 1, Armenia-Turkey qualifying match will take place in Bursa. As expected, RA President Serzh Sargsyan will attend the match.

Yesterday Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers Edward Nalbandyan and Ahmet Davutoglu signed the Armenia-Turkey Protocols in Zurich. The documents should be ratified by both countries’ Parliaments. As NEWS.am already reported signing ceremony took place in tensed atmosphere. Turkish delegation tried to include a number of thesis related to Karabakh conflict in their final statement. According to the position of official Yerevan and international mediators, Karabakh peace process and Armenia-Turkey rapprochement are not linked. After the protests of Armenian side and interference of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the problem was solved. In particular, both sides decided not to make final statements and immediately left after signing ceremony.