Armenian “Aravot” daily published the statement of RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan that had to be made October 10 after the Protocols signing ceremony in Zurich. However, due to controversy between the sides the statement was not voiced.

The statement reads:

“Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen

We have gathered on the hospitable soil of Switzerland to sign the Protocols, which will lay the cornerstone upon which relations between Armenia and Turkey should be built in the years ahead.

This is a special day, a threshold of a new beginning, new relations and new perspectives.

This could be beneficial for our peoples if we translate these documents into action as agreed, through implementing their provisions promptly, without preconditions and within reasonable timeframe.

From the very beginning of the process we were aware of the difficulties and obstacles on this thorny, but so much needed road. But we also realized that leaving this heavy burden to the future generations will be irresponsible and unjustified.

Today, we have put our efforts to open a closed door that has long divided our peoples, we have cleared the way for coming generations to live in peace and prosperity.

Intensive day-to-day negotiations have enabled us to find a master key that should unlock the door and provide an unprecedented opportunity to confidently step into the future.

Modern day Europe’s stability, security and prosperity is based on the symbolic hand-shake many decades ago by the two prominent leaders of the time. They had the courage not only to lead their nations to reconciliation, but also the vision to create conditions for other peoples in Europe to live in peace and security.

A similar symbolic hand-shake took place on September 6, 2008, in Yerevan, where the Presidents of Armenia and Turkey first met, following the initiative of the Armenian leader.

While giving due tribute to the political will of our leaders and acknowledging tremendous efforts from the both sides, I would like to commend the international community for their very important strong support of the process. This backing and mediation was instrumental in pushing it forward. Today, you stand with us, participate in the signing ceremony, and truly, share the credit for the achieved results and also the responsibility for the future achievements.

I should like to express our appreciation and gratitude to Switzerland, the United States of America, Russia, France, many other countries, the European and international organizations.

I wish to express profound gratitude to the Secretary of State Madame Hillary Clinton and her team. I am very grateful to Minister Sergei Lavrov, also to Minister Bernard Kouchner, Minister Samuel Zbogar, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Javier Solana, the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union, and many other friends, all those, who have put considerable efforts for the advancement of the process.

I convey my special gratitude to Madame Micheline Calmy-Rey, Swiss Federal Councilor and her team for their great job and untiring efforts in bringing negotiations to fruition.

I do believe that the path we have chosen to proceed will lead us to a prosperous future. Thank you.”