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ANKARA: New Protocols Set Ground For Turkey, Armenia Common Future

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  • ANKARA: New Protocols Set Ground For Turkey, Armenia Common Future

    NEW PROTOCOLS SET GROUND FOR TURKEY, ARMENIA COMMON FUTURE

    Hurriyet Daily News
    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=unco nditional-protocol-sets-common-ground-for-common-f uture-2009-09-01
    Sept 1 2009
    Turkey

    With the second half of 'football diplomacy' just weeks away, Turkish
    and Armenian leaders are pledging to sign protocols that will usher
    in a new era of open relations between the two countries. The future
    isn't certain, however, as the parliaments and presidents on both
    sides of the border will need to ratify the agreements before they
    can come into force

    FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY: Hopes escalate for Armenian President Serge
    Sarkisian to attend a football match in Turkey in October.

    After decades of tension between the neighbors, Turkey and Armenia
    are set to sign protocols that promise to shape a broad common ground
    for establishing good ties and undertaking joint projects important
    for future development.

    The two countries are expected to ink two protocols in six weeks,
    likely just before the World Cup qualifying match that will take
    place in Bursa on Oct. 14 between Turkey and Armenia's national teams.

    The first protocol, covering the establishment of diplomatic relations,
    and the second, on the development of relations, are accompanied by
    an annex that sets a clear timetable for the implementation of both.

    Though uncertainties remain, the agreements envision the opening of
    the Turkey-Armenia border within two months after the second protocol
    goes into force, which requires approval from both parliaments and
    presidents.

    "[Turkey and Armenia] reconfirm their commitment, in their bilateral
    and international relations, to respect and ensure respect for the
    principles of equality, sovereignty, non-intervention in internal
    affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of
    frontiers," the first protocol reads.

    The initial part of the agreement also touches on the issue of
    regional stability without making direct reference to the ongoing
    dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani territory occupied by
    Armenian forces. Refraining from the use of threats or force, promoting
    the peaceful settlement of disputes and protecting human rights and
    fundamental freedoms are also key provisions in the protocol.

    Borders to be recognized

    Under the agreement, the two countries will also affirm their mutual
    recognition of their existing border, as defined by relevant treaties
    in international law, a provision that directly refers to one of
    Turkey's most important demands, Armenia's acknowledgement of the
    1921 Treaty of Kars that delimited the border. This aspect of the
    protocol can be seen as Armenia's confirmation that it will no longer
    make any claims on Turkish territory.

    The next item of the protocol once again affirms the countries'
    decision to open the common border, which was sealed by Turkey in
    response to Armenia's occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh. Previously,
    Turkey had said it would not move toward reconciliation with Armenia
    unless the country removed its forces from Azerbaijani lands.

    "Condemning all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism irrespective
    of their cause, pledging to refrain from encouraging and tolerating
    such acts and to cooperate in combating against them," are among the
    other terms of the protocol. As Turkish intelligence services believe
    that Armenia is one of the countries providing support to the outlawed
    Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, Turkey will press Armenia to severe
    any links with the banned organization.

    The protocol on the development of relations lists a number of fields
    in which the two countries will work to launch joint projects. In
    addition to political and economic ties, Turkey and Armenia will
    set up sub-commissions to work on energy- and transportation-related
    efforts, as well as other scientific, technical and cultural issues,
    that will foster a common future based on mutual interests. Projects
    set to be launched in the short term include the reactivation of
    existing railroads and joint electricity production.

    In another reference to the peaceful settlement of regional disputes,
    the protocol text says the countries are "reiterating their commitment
    to the peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes and
    conflicts on the basis of the norms and principles of international
    law."

    Under the new agreements, Turkey and Armenia will also work together to
    stop transnational organized crime, including the illicit trafficking
    of drugs and arms.

    Initiating a historical dialogue

    In addition to the main aims of the two protocols, the neighboring
    countries have also agreed to set up a sub-commission to deal with
    the mass killings that occurred during the World War I era. The
    sub-commission will be able to invite foreign experts to contribute
    to its work. It is charged with implementing "a dialogue on the
    historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between
    the two nations, including an impartial scientific examination of
    the historical records and archives to define existing problems and
    formulate recommendations."

    The two countries will also cooperate in the fields of science and
    education by encouraging relations between appropriate institutions
    and promoting the exchange of specialists and students, and will act
    to preserve the cultural heritage of both sides by launching joint
    cultural projects.

    The timetable

    After negotiations are completed, the protocols are expected to be
    signed in the first half of October and will then be sent to Parliament
    for further discussion. The final approval of the protocols must be
    made by President Abdullah Gul. It is not yet known how long it may
    take to complete the ratification process.

    The protocol calls for the border to be opened within two months of
    the documents' entry into force, meaning that if Gul approves them
    on Nov. 1, for example, the border would have to be opened before
    the New Year.

    The two countries will also establish a working group headed by
    their respective foreign ministries to prepare an intergovernmental
    commission, along with a number of sub-commissions, that will
    be convened within three months after the protocol goes into
    effect. The sub-commissions will convene a month after the initial
    intergovernmental meeting.

    Uncertainty over Karabakh

    Though a key step in the reconciliation process, the protocols do not
    address all the questions marks in the relationship between the two
    countries. After Turkey and Armenia declared their initial "road map"
    for reconciliation on April 22, Baku's strong reaction caused Ankara
    to backpedal and declare that it would only move forward if Armenia
    withdrawals from occupied Azerbaijani lands. The current protocol
    does not address this issue. Turkish diplomats say there are still
    two parallel tracks, but thus far, the implementation is not showing
    that to be the case.
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