Armenian-Turkish protocols to be sent to Turkish parliament

Protocol will be sent to the Turkish Grand National Assembly next week, but the date has not yet been fixed yet, and only the parliament will decide whether to vote on the protocol, Chichek said.

Turkish and Armenian Foreign Ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandyan signed Turkey-Armenia protocols in Zurich on Oct. 10.

Armenian-Turkish ties have been severed since 1993 due to Armenia's claims to recognize so-called "Armenian genocide" and Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands.

Serious progress is not expected to take place without settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Oct. 11.

Chichek said signing of the protocols with Armenia is part of Turkey's policy to establish stability and peace in the Caucasus.

Concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Chichek said that Armenia should withdraw from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. "Turkey hopes that steps to improve relations with Armenia will positively impact the Karabakh conflict solution," said Chichek.

Another major problem, which Turkey hopes to resolve, is unfair accusations against Turkey of committing "genocide" against Armenians, said Chichek.

Turkey is ready to face its history, and therefore, according to the protocols, a special commission composed of historians will be established.

"We are ready to prove the truth and lies about the events of 1915, and let the scientists work on this," said Chichek.

According to the protocols, Armenia will also recognize the borders of Turkey, Chichek said.

/Trend News/