Breakthrough or diplomatic tactics? Armenia and Turkey could solve first bilateral dispute in the region
European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) sees a historic window of opportunity in the new roadmap and timeframe for the establishment of diplomatic links and open borders between Turkey and Armenia without precondition. The joint statement released yesterday evening by the two countries reinserts momentum into what could become the first peaceful settlement of a bilateral conflict in the region for many decades.
The plan (all original documents are available on www.eufoa.org) now foresees 6 weeks of “consultations”, before the signature of the two protocols, on diplomatic relations and opening the border, and submission to the two parliaments. This means that the two countries could have presidential signatures under these protocols before 14 October, followed by ratifications in the two parliaments. While both sides committed themselves to a timely implementation of the plan, it is unclear whether the parliamentary procedure could be open ended or burdened with new political conditions.
Press enquiries: EuFoA is happy to provide commenting or background analysis in English, German, French, Italian, Russian and Armenian. Members of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council may also be available for comments; for enquiries please contact our secretariat. Free to use picture material is available on our website and upon request.
News Roundup
Subscribe to our news roundup to get news on your email.