U.S. praises Armenian High Court ruling on Turkish protocols

In the recent weeks, official Ankara has been raising tension around the Armenian-Turkish protocols following the 15 January ruling of the Consitutional Court of Armenia confirming their constitutionality. Ankara claims the ruling runs counter to the two protocols and sets preconditions. The Armenian side insists that the court did not challenge any of the protocols provisions and on the contrary paved the way for the deal’s ratification by Armenia’s National Assembly. In parallel, on 25 January the US State Department issued a statement addressing these latest developments qualifying Armenian ruling as a “positive step forward in the ratification process of the normalization protocols between Turkey and Armenia.” The EU has not yet officially reacted to these developments.

Below we provide you with an article from Radio Free Europe.

U.S. Praises Armenian High Court Ruling On Turkish Protocols

(Source: Radio Free Europe, http://www.rferl.org/content/US_Praises_Armenian_High_Court_Ruling_On_Turkish_Protocols/1939073.html)

YEREVAN — The United States says it welcomes a controversial ruling by Armenia’s Constitutional Court that Turkey has criticized as running counter to Turkish-Armenian protocols aimed at rapprochement, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reports. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said in a statement sent to RFE/RL that Washington views “the court decision as a positive step forward in the ratification process of the normalization protocols between Turkey and Armenia.”

He added in the January 22 statement that the court decision “permits the protocols, as they were negotiated and signed, to move forward towards parliamentary ratification, and does not appear to limit or qualify them in any way.” Gordon said, “We are confident that both Turkey and Armenia take their commitment to the protocols seriously, and we urge timely ratification of the protocols by both countries.”

The comments follow a reported phone conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The Anatolia news agency quoted an unnamed Turkish Foreign Ministry official as saying that Davutoglu reiterated to Clinton Ankara’s claims that the Armenian court’s interpretation of the protocols’ implications contradicts their “essence and substance.” Davutoglu said earlier on January 22 that he will urge his U.S. and Swiss counterparts to put pressure on the Armenian leadership.

Washington’s reaction to the Turkish claims will boost Yerevan’s position in the row, which has raised more questions about the success of the U.S.-backed normalization process. U.S. officials have repeatedly urged Armenia and Turkey to implement the landmark agreements without preconditions and within a “reasonable” period of time. Gordon said that Washington’s position is unchanged. “We support the normalization process, which we believe contributes to peace and stability in the Caucasus. What is critical is to keep the parties focused on the vital importance of moving ahead.”

More sources:

Azatutyun:

U.S. To Keep Pressing For Turkish-Armenian Normalization

U.S. Praises Armenian Court Ruling On Turkey

Reuters:

Turkey: court ruling could hurt peace with Armenia

FACTBOX-Armenia court reference to killings angers Turkey