YEREVAN. – The Armenian-Turkish protocols’ withdrawal from the Armenian National Assembly’s (NA) agenda is within the President’s powers, NA Speaker Samvel Nikoyan stated during NA’s session on Monday, in response to opposition Heritage Party Parliamentary Faction leader Stepan Safaryan’s question.

Safaryan had noted that Turkish Minister of State Egemen Bagis had promised to recognize the Armenian Genocide if it is academically proven. According to Safaryan, such statements are unacceptable, and the Armenian parliament must ultimately withdraw these protocols.   

“The Armenian-Turkish protocols’ withdrawal from the National Assembly’s agenda is within the Armenian President’s powers. But I believe the Armenian-Turkish protocols should remain on the agenda. The Armenian Genocide’s international recognition is not dependant on those protocols. On the contrary, the international community respects Armenia’s position,” Samvel Nikoyan said.     

And Stepan Safaryan responded by noting that Heritage will vote against NA’s agenda as long as “the infamous protocols, which do not promise anything good, are included there.”