(DIP) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON TURKISH-ARMENIAN PROTOCOLS.

ANKARA, Oct 26, 2009 (TUR) -- The Turkish foreign minister said on Monday that a positive development in Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute would have a positive impact on the ratification of Turkish-Armenian protocols.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the Turkish government would not make an imposition on the parliament for adoption of the protocols signed with Armenia.

"However, a positive development in the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute will have a positive impact on the ratification process," he told the Al-Jazeera TV in Pakistan.

The Turkish minister said the protocols would positively affect the stability in South Caucasus, particularly the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute, and the end of occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

"However, if things go wrong and if hopes fade for a positive development (in the above mentioned issues), our members of parliament may be in a tendency not to approve the protocol, and therefore we have to work for a positive scenario," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said there was need for political and psychological ground to get a vote in favor of the protocol from the parliament, and there should be progress in peace talks for that positive vote.

The Turkish minister defined Azerbaijan as a strategic ally and an internal policy element, and called on the international community to do something to end occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

On October 10, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Armenian counterpart Eduard Nalbandian signed two protocols in the Swiss city of Zurich.

The two protocols were on "the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia" and "the Development of Bilateral Relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia".

The protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations envisages mutual recognition of the existing border between the two countries.

Under the protocol, Turkey and Armenia reconfirmed their commitment, in their bilateral and international relations, to respect and ensure respect for the principles of "equality, sovereignty, non-intervention in internal affairs of other states, territorial integrity and inviolability of frontiers".

Turkey and Armenia also condemned all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism irrespective of their cause, pledging to refrain from encouraging and tolerating such acts and to cooperate in combating against them.

The protocol on development of bilateral relations aims to facilitate the development of relations between Turkey and Armenia in all fields and took significant steps within this frame.

One of the steps has to do with the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border two months after the protocol goes into effect. The two countries have decided to establish committees in various fields and at various levels. An historical sub-committee will be established with the participation of international experts.

Also talking about Cyprus problem, Davutoglu said that had the European Union (EU) put enough pressure on the Greek Cypriot administration for adoption of the Annan plan in 2004, there would have been a different Europe, a different Eastern Mediterranean and a different Turkish-Greek relationship.

Davutoglu said concerned parties should take lessons from 2004, and underlined importance of justice.

The Turkish minister said the Turkish Cypriots voted for the Annan plan, whereas the Greek Cypriots rejected it, which indicated that the Turkish Cypriots wanted to reunify the island but the Greek Cypriots wanted to divide the island.

Davutoglu said the same tendency continued, and that the EU should tell both parties that "it was enough" and it was time for reunification and peace.

Also, Davutoglu underlined importance of forming a permanent political structure in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and underlined importance of representation of all ethnic identities.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)