YEREVAN, JANUARY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Following the publication of the RA Constitutional Court's decision on Armenia-Turkey protocols, some Armenian political figures are trying to pretend to be innocent before Turkey by saying that it was a domestic decision and will not affect relations between the two countries. Member of the "ARFD" faction of the RA National Assembly Artsvik Minasian made this remark during the January 22 debate. In his words, such behavior of these persons minimizes the importance and force of the Constitutional Court's decision. "If we continue in the same spirit and not demand mandatory execution of the CC decision from our state bodies, then naturally, the Turks will stop the clamor they have raised and they will ratify the protocols after a short delay," A. Minasian predicted. In the opinion of member of "Republican Party of Armenia" faction Gagik Melikian, the CC decision had the effect of a cold shower on the Turks trying to use a language of preconditions with the Armenian authorities. He said that Armenian officials have repeatedly stated that the aim of the protocols is to establish diplomatic relations and open the border, which was affirmed by the Constitutional Court as well. Besides, according to G. Melikian, no country has so far agreed with Turkey's claim that Armenian-Turkish relations are linked with the Karabakh problem. "Turkey will not succeed in linking these two issues together, and it will be compelled to ratify the protocols, just as it was compelled to sign them," the NA deputy said. He assured those present that the Republic of Armenia will never give up Western Armenia's territories and the Armenian Genocide recognition process and will not accept the Treaty of Kars.

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