S. Sargsyan: We are in advantageous position in negotiating process

One can presently say that it is because of Turkey that the Armenian-Turkish normalization process reached a deadlock and is now frozen, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said today when responding to a question about Armenian-Turkish protocols at the consultation in Armenian Defense Ministry.

In his words, the Armenian-Turkish process was initiated for noble reasons in order to “raise regional cooperation and security to a new level”. “We were fully aware who we were dealing with and what difficult problem we were trying to solve,” S. Sargsyan said.

“We saw over time that the side we were negotiating with – it is hard to call it a partner – was trying to set preconditions and interpret in its own way some processes, later also some provisions of the document. Today we can say the following: it is for this reason that the process reached a deadlock and is frozen,” the Armenian president said.

Nevertheless, according to S. Sargsyan, it is necessary to achieve results and it should be noted that the process’s freezing was also foreseeable. “We should say that in any case, our partners, our well-wishers and our supporters received final evidence that the reason of the absence of Armenian-Turkish relations it is not the Armenian side. Why is it important? Because our friends reproached us from time to time for allegedly not being constructive and trying to use a language of preconditions with Turkey and they used to say we were partly to blame for the absence of relations. I think now all the suspicions are overcome,” the president noted.

He reminded those present that at one time there was criticism that the protocols had at least two negative aspects. First, the likelihood to suspend the Armenian Genocide recognition process was considered negative.
“And now I am asking you and these people what the Turks are doing today regarding this issue? They are using all their potential to struggle against the Armenian Genocide resolution passed by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Do you know that it has been the first such decision in the past 24 years? If we damaged that process, then why is there such a situation today? “ S. Sargsyan asked.

“Secondly, can you find people today who would claim without a twinge of remorse that these protocols damaged the Karabakh conflict resolution and through these protocols we paved the way for compromises? Those well-informed about this issue know that we take a firm position in this process. When the Defense Army commander made his report, did you see what tension reigns on the frontline? What is the reason for that? If they are in a good position in the negotiating process and if they can achieve a favorable solution, then why do they increase tension on the border? Why has tension on the frontline sharply increased in the past 3-4 years? That is, we can see that at one front - for lack of success at the other – they are trying to put pressure, blackmail, and prove to us and the international community that they want the problem’s resolution in this way. Yet it is obvious that we are in an advantageous position in the negotiating process,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

According to the Armenian president, there is another important argument. “If, as many claim, this document, or to be more precise, these two documents are not advantageous to the Armenian side, but stem from Turkey’s interest, then why don’t the Turks ratify them today? … It is obvious that if this document stemmed from Turks’ interests, they would stop at nothing – be it the opinion of Azerbaijan or anyone else – and quietly ratify the protocols. If these documents were advantageous to the Turkish side, they would not lead to tension in Turkey’s domestic political life. I answered in detail because these questions were not voiced for a long time, and the answer is probably related to the recent developments as well,” Serzh Sargsyan said in conclusion.