The Armenian-Turkish protocols, which are still on the agenda of Armenia’s Parliament, have not caused any damage either to the process of international recognition of the Armenian Genocide or to Armenia’s foreign policy, Spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), Vice-Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament Eduard Sharmazanov told Tert.am.

According to him, it is by means of the Armenian-Turkish protocols that Armenia proved to the world its being a more reliable and predictable state.

“In contrast to Turkey, which proved to be a state violating agreements in the 21st century in the eyes of our international partners – because it claimed it was willing to establish relations without any preconditions, doing so before the United States, Russia and the European Union (EU), but Armenia was allegedly setting preconditions,” Sharmazanov said.

“Although we have the moral right to set preconditions, we have shown we are not following this course because it is not a civilized or democratic course. We have caused the entire world to see Turkey’s real worth,” he said.

As a historian, Sharmazanov noted that Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has made a number of conceptual speeches on the Armenian Genocide and its recognition.

As the centennial of the Armenian Genocide is nearing, Armenia’s political forces – irrespective of their political views – must, hand in hand with the Armenian Diaspora, do their best for the event to be marked at a higher level.

Denying genocides is tantamount to committing them, Sharmazanov said.

With respect to the opposition forces’ statements that the Armenian-Turkish protocols have caused damage to Armenia, Sharmazanov said:

“I am citing facts, whereas opposition members are voicing their opinions. And it is no coincidence that former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton visited Tsitsernakabert [the Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims in Yerevan] and noted that the ball was in Turkey’s court.”