Davutoğlu and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian, signed the two protocols in October but they are yet to be ratified in the national parliaments -- a necessary condition for their implementation -- amid mutual accusations of belatedly added preconditions. Turkey says a decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia on the protocols interprets them in a way that misrepresent their objectives. Armenia, on the other hand, says Turkey has linked the process to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan although this contravenes the text of the protocols.
Davutoğlu, speaking at a parliamentary session, gave assurances to the opposition that the protocols will go into force only on the condition that they are implemented without any alteration. “We will make sure that there will be no confusion or grey area in the implementation of the protocols,” he told deputies. “We have the right to take necessary measures if the protocols are interpreted in a way that contradicts their letter and spirit. … Our parliaments will ratify the protocols when political conditions are ripe.”
The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) object to the protocols, saying they harm Turkey’s relations with Azerbaijan, an ethnic and regional ally of Turkey and a key gas supplier. Deniz Bölükbaşı, a deputy from the MHP, said after Davutoğlu’s speech that the signing of the protocols with Armenia was a “historical mistake” as Armenia still refuses to formally recognize its borders with Turkey and keeps Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territory in Azerbaijani land under occupation.
CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen criticized the government’s pledges to continue with the normalization process with Armenia despite the ruling of the Armenian Constitutional Court. “This decision is irreversible. How can you say you will ratify the protocols despite this decision?” Öymen asked in Parliament.
Davutoğlu, on the other hand, said normal ties with neighbors are a key element for peace in the Caucasus and that the government would continue with its initiative for normal ties with Armenia despite obstacles raised in Armenia and in other parts of the world by the Armenian diaspora. “We can opt for preserving the status quo and we can live happily and comfortably for a while as a result. But we will end up leaving a troubled Caucasus to our grandchildren,” he said. “The status quo in the Caucasus is not in the interests of Turkey or Azerbaijan or Armenia or Russia but so far no brave step has been taken to change it. Now, what we want is to change it.”
The foreign minister also said Turkey was acting in full coordination with Azerbaijan. “No development can harm the friendship between Turkey and Azerbaijan,” he said.
