MUNICH, Germany (RFE/RL) — The United States would like to help Armenia and Turkey kick-start their stalled normalization process, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reportedly told President Serge Sargisian last weekend.
The two met on the sidelines of a security conference attended by government leaders from around the world. According to Sargisian’s press office, they discussed USArmenian ties, the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and Armenia’s strained relationship with Turkey.
In a statement, the office said, “Turning to Armenia-Turkey relations, the secretary of state emphasized the determination of the United States to assist in continuing the process of establishing normal relations between the two countries.” It did not elaborate.
The US was actively involved in Turkish- Armenian fence-mending negotiations that led to the signing in October 2009 of two protocols envisaging the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the opening of their border. Turkey made clear afterwards that its parliament will not ratify the deal without a breakthrough in the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process.
Citing the Turkish precondition, Sargisian last month accused Ankara of “destroying” the US-backed normalization process. He also threatened to formally annul the protocols “if things continue like this.”
Clinton is likely to have discussed that threat with Sargisian. With the State Departments and US diplomats making no statements on the Munich meeting, it is not known what her reaction was, though.
