“Still on January, 2013, the President of Armenia had said that our time is not endless, and after a reasonable period, if Turkey fails to fulfill its commitment, we may withdraw our signature,” said ARF SB member Aghvan Vardanyan, in the interview with “Aravot”, referring to Serzh Sargsyan’s statements on Armenian-Turkish protocols made during his visit to the Ministry of Defense. The President had noted that all earlier skepticisms about the Armenian-Turkish protocols were groundless. Also, a day before it, the president’s spokesman said that on the eve of April 24, political statements will be voiced about the Armenian-Turkish protocols. Mr. Vardanyan considers appropriate to talk about the topic right after these statements. Recall that once the ARF party has left the coalition because of disagreements in Armenia’s foreign policy priorities, particularly, the Armenian-Turkish protocols. On the threshold of the last presidential election, the ARF published its vision to bring the country out of the current situation, consisting of seven points, one of which is the withdrawal of Armenia’s signature from the protocols. In fact, Aghvan Vardanyan does not agree with some of the President Serzh Sargsyan’s observations made at the Ministry of Defense. He, in particular, believes that if it were not for the “No” movement, the public uprising headed by ARF party not only in Armenia but in the Diaspora, we would not have, first, the speech of the President of Armenia on the day of signing the protocols, secondly, the CC’s well-known decision about the protocols, our interlocutor is convinced. “And as for not meeting Turkey halfway, not signing, is mostly due to clarifications that the authorities, including the Constitutional Court, found or confirmed what Armenia understands by these issues. And to the fact that Turkey aimed to formulate preconditions that they were formulated, and that is was going to keep talking with preconditions, it was obvious,” in spite of the observation of the president that Turkey sought preconditions, therefore the process has reached an impasse and is frozen today, said Aghvan Vardanyan, being confident that only the Constitutional Court’s right decision put the matter in its place. Pursuant to the opinion of ARF-member, it is high time for the leadership of Armenia to re-consider the issue, especially, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, it is the right time. “How far will the President of Armenia go? Moreover, I can assume that talking about the truth of the steps conducted by them, the President of Armenia, perhaps, was preparing grounds for upcoming political statements. Let’s wait and see.” What will the withdrawal of protocols give under this geopolitical situation? In the interview with “Aravot”, the former NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan said that it would be just as dangerous and senseless step, as was the signing of the protocols. “I do not think so. Finally, a process should have logic and an opportunity to develop. Evidently, we have reached an impasse here, and the recall of signatures from protocols does not mean anything. At least, for us. This does not preclude starting a new process of settlement of relations on the next day, with a specific issue, which we have repeatedly said: recognition of Genocide, settlement of diplomatic relations and opening of the border,” conveyed his opinion our interlocutor, recalling that the process of protocols was proceeding under other geopolitical situation, when Armenia was prepared to close cooperation with Europe. While the situation is different now, and it is not right to connect them with each other. “Today, the recall of signatures cannot have any negative effect on us.” It would be good for the officials currently responsible for country’s foreign policy and the Armenia political parties, including the Dashnaktsutyun to seriously consider promotional activities initiated by them, because if you are not capable to conduct policy independently and objectively effective, then at least do not cause additional complications and fruitless campaign for your country and the people,” said Arman Melikyan to “Aravot”, drawing parallels with the events that had become fatal for Armenia in the 1920s of the last century. In that regard, in response to our question, Aghvan Vardanyan said that they are thankful for each and every citizen who prompt them and give advice. He said that in the ARF party they are taking it as ad notam and will consider the call, if necessary.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
