OPINION BY VACHE KAHRAMANIAN - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANC Australia



In 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed two historic accords to establish diplomatic and bilateral relations. At that time these Protocols raised serious concerns not only in Armenia, but also to the seven million Armenians living in the diaspora.

More than three years after the signing of these Protocols, Armenians are even more sceptical about them. This scepticism is further driven by recent comments which were made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Edward Nalbandian during his official visit to Australia.

At a community event hosted in Ryde, he spoke at length about the current status of the Protocols and the notion of preconditions. He was firmly resolved that Armenia and Turkey signed the Protocols with no preconditions and that Armenia would have never signed a document which disputed the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide. Furthering his statement, Nalbandian added that Armenia would not accept the formation of a joint Armenian-Turkish historical commission to assess the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide.

Such comments came much to the surprise to the community in Australia. Having read the protocols that were signed in Zurich it clearly states:

“implement a dialogue on the historical dimension with the aim to restore mutual confidence between the two nations, including an impartial scientific examination of the historical records and archives to define existing problems and formulate recommendations..."

The above statement is in stark contrast to remarks made on August 12^th in Sydney where the Minister advised that no such historical commission would be established to assess the Armenian Genocide. If the clear intention of the Armenian government was to sign the Protocols with no preconditions, why is it that a global ‘No’ movement was orchestrated which publicly voiced the concerns of the diaspora leading to protests around the world including in Armenia.

If there were no preconditions, we can only conclude that the Armenian government has listened to the concerns of its people. It witnessed the resolve of the Armenian citizens and the diaspora as they rallied around their proud nation. It realised the dangers these Protocols pose to Armenia.

The ongoing peace process of Nagorno-Karabakh has been another area of serious concern. Armenia’s signature on the Protocols committing to “non intervention in the internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers” diminishes Armenia’s ability to be an active participant in the peace process. These actions again clearly demonstrate the dangers of the Protocols.

Before calling upon Turkey to ensure pacta sunt servanda, the Armenian government should keep its agreement with its own people that neither the Armenian Genocide nor any other issue of national importance, including Nagorno-Karabakh, will be negotiated on.

Having suspended the Protocols in 2010 due to a lack of progress, the time has come for Armenia to withdraw her signature from these one-sided dangerous Protocols.