ZURICH: The signing ceremony of the Armenian-Turkish protocols was held in a most tense atmosphere. After a long delay and consultations, Armenian and Turkish Foreign Ministers signed the Protocols 3 hours behind schedule.

The ceremony participants refused to make the previously announced final statements that caused controversy. Earlier Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey stated the sides were to make statements after the ceremony. However, according to Armenian diplomats, it was not of vital importance as RA President Serzh Sargsyan today made an extensive statement on the Protocols.

The following is Sargsyan's statement prior to the signing:"Over the recent few weeks Armenia and the international community have focused their attention on the Armenian-Turkish normalization process, particularly on the two initialed protocols. All the sections of the Armenian nation immediately responded to our appeal for a public discussion of the documents by getting involved in the debates. The recent months have seen a new wave of discussions of major and minor problems facing Armenia and the Armenian nation.

Numerous issues, which have nothing to do with the Armenian-Turkish protocols, but are of high importance, are being discussed as well. This process gave rise to a new discussion of the role of Armenia and the Armenians, their present and future. As a result, the entire world has seen and come to realize that, in the Armenia-Turkey normalization process, it deals not only with 3-million-strong Armenia, but also with the 10-million-strong Armenian nation. And let no one pretend they do not notice that, despite all the chants, the Armenian people has common goals and is strong thanks to its sons. And let no one try to cause a split between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora, our brothers and sisters, by accounting for their concern over Armenia's future by others' attempts to impose anything on the Republic of Armenia.

"Dear compatriots,

"During its history, our nation has repeatedly faced the necessity for wise decisions in the time of hardship. We achieved success only when we made a realistic appraisal of the challenges facing us and took adequate steps. And we are in a similar situation now. Building up and consolidating our statehood require adequate thinking and actions on our part.

"We are not trying to establish normal relations with a state, which, under Ottoman Rule, implemented a policy of annihilating and deporting our people. The Genocide-inflicted wound will never heal. Both the memory of our forefathers and the future of generations to come is that we have stable and strong statehood, a prosperous country. We consider establishing normal relations with all our neighbors, including Turkey, one of the most important steps on this way.

"Independence also requires will and determination to make important decisions, pragmatism and consistent work for the future. I chose this way. I did it fully realizing the responsibility for this historic moment, with great faith in the future of our people.

"There is no alternative to establishing relations with Turkey without preconditions. It is a call of the times. And it is not this necessity that leads to disagreements. The concern voiced by individuals and political forces are the result of different interpretations of some of the points of the Protocols and historical distrust of Turkey.

"Taking a realistic view of the facts and being sure the steps are necessary and right, I assure you:

1. No relations with Turkey can call into question the facts of Armenian Genocide and Armenians' deportation from their Homeland. They are widely known and must be condemned by the progressive humanity. The relevant intergovernmental subcommittee is not a commission of historians;

2. The issue of the Armenian-Turkish border must be settled under international law. The Protocols do not say anything about it;

3. These relations have nothing - nor can they - to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, which is an independent process. Armenia does not view the point on territorial integrity and inviolability of borders as a mention having anything to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process;

4. Turkey's attempts to delay the ratification of the protocols or set any preconditions to ratification will meet with the Armenian side's adequate response. Armenia does not assume any unilateral commitments under the protocols. Armenia is signing the documents to create the necessary basis for natural relations between the two countries. Therefore, if Turkey fails to ratify the documents and implement the provisions within a reasonable timeframe or violates them in the future, Armenia will immediately take adequate steps under international law.

"Addressing you, dear compatriots, I would like to emphasize: today, as never before, our people needs consolidation for the State to make use of the national identity. The signing of the protocols will be followed by their ratification and implementation. All the concerns voiced during the discussions will be taken into account, and we must be able to prevent any processes that would pose a threat to our national interests. Today, I am absolutely sure that we will be able to do that. And we will do it - all the Armenians together. Now we are not as we were just a few months ago. It is a fact. I believe in our people's wisdom. I believe we are together in passing a peaceful and prosperous Homeland down to our posterity.

May God protect us!"