France, Strasburg, Nov. 19 / Trend A.Maharramli /
There is no formal relation between resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Turkey-Armenia rapprochement, Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Chairman and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey told Trend today. Calmy-Rey was commenting on the non-ratification of the Turkish-Armenian protocols.
The Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Edward Nalbandian signed the Ankara-Yerevan protocols in Zurich Oct. 10.
Turkey and Armenia in talks mediated by Switzerland reached an agreement to launch "domestic political consultations" Aug. 31 to sign the "Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and Protocol on the Development of Bilateral Relations," the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported.
Diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey were broken due to Armenian claims of an alleged genocide and its occupation of Azerbaijani lands. Their border closed in 1993.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Following the signing of the protocols Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said Turkey will not take steps contradicting Azerbaijan's interests.
Calmy-Rey also said the two countries should ratify the Turkish and Armenian protocols in the rapprochement process.
"We hope both Turkey and Armenia will ratify the protocols soon," the minister said, noting that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution and Turkey-Armenia rapprochement have no formal relation.
According to official, the processes are connected, yet independent at the same time.
"The OSCE Minsk Group is engaged in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The other process deals with the normalization of Turkey-Armenia relations with Swiss mediation," she said.
The minister expressed hope in the prompt ratification of the protocols.
"We hope the ratification process will be held soon. The processes are not connected. Of course, progress on one issue will positively impact the second affair," the minister added.
The chairmanship of Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers was handed over from Slovenia to Switzerland Nov.18. After the ceremony, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar and new Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Chairman Micheline Calmy-Rey held a joint press conference.
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