10 October 2009, 20:00
Signing of Armenian-Turkish Protocols postponed in Zurich
The ceremony of signing the Protocols "On Development of Mutual Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Turkish Republic" and "On Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Turkish Republic", planned for today in Zurich, has been postponed by unknown period of time, as a member of the American delegation told journalists.
The text of the statement of Turkey contained a phrase mentioning Nagorno-Karabakh, which the delegation of Armenia did not like, as Armenian media reported with reference to diplomatic sources.
The "News.am" Agency reports with reference to the Associated Press that the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Armenia and telephone conversations with Turkish officials aiming to lift the contradictions. This was reported by one of diplomats, who preferred to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The "Interfax" reports with reference to unconfirmed data that the Armenian party has conducted intensive consultations for fixing its positions. It is not excluded that the Armenian delegation will make a special statement.