Genocide the hardest problem in Armenian-Turkish relations

Reconciliation is not just establishment of diplomatic and economic relations. It is the development between the Armenian and Turkish publics, which is no less important than formal ties. The task of NGOs, experts and journalists is to try to throw a bridge between the neighbor states, but there are plenty of obstacles in their way.

It's history, for most part. Armenia has not recognized the Kars and Moscow Treaties' provisions on borders so far, while Turkey sets it as a precondition for establishment of diplomatic relations. True, the declaration on Armenia's independence reads that Armenia doesn't set territorial claims to Turkey. However, Eastern Turkey is fixed there as Western Armenia, what is inadmissible for us.

I would like to remind that article 11 of the declaration says that Armenia supports the campaign for worldwide recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Meanwhile, present-day Turkey has nothing in common with the Ottoman Empire and is not its legal successor. In short, recognition of Turkey's borders is an important prerequisite for establishment of bilateral relations.

Terms are not a problem for me. I say Armenian Genocide freely. Although I know that many in Turkey can pay for it with life. My grandfather helped Armenians during the massacre and he used to tell me much about it. As a matter of fact, many in Turkey are unaware of the 1915 events and are surprised at demands to deny them. “How can we deny something that never existed?” they ask. This period of our history is not included in the school curriculum. There is one more problem. Acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey may originate claims for reparations and territories, what will completely destruct the balance in the shaky region.

I certainly won't. However, recognition of the mass killings as genocide has not affected Turley's position on the issue. As you remember, recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the French Senate in 2001 did not have any consequences. It was merely recognition of a historical fact. I think, the Armenian Genocide is the hardest problem in the Armenian-Turkish relationship. Under the circumstances, Ankara's policy faces the present and future but not the past.

We support Azerbaijan because we think that Armenia violated the norms of the international law. Turkey closed the border with Armenia in 1993 in response to its aggression against Azerbaijan and obliged to open it after Azerbaijan and Armenia seal a peace agreement.

War is a violation of the international law norms. This is what I mean. As to Turkish troops in Cyprus, they defend the Turkish community of the island.

No, I won't. Turkey could do much for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, I believe. The closed border caused polarization of forces in the region with Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Georgia on the one hand and Russia, Iran and Armenia on the other. Instability in the Caucasus, especially after the South Ossetian war, gave Turkey the idea of the Caucasus Platform, which received a positive feedback from the international community. Reverting to the opening of borders, both sides will benefit from it. The current $300-million commodity turnover between Armenia and Turkey will considerably increase and replenish the state budget.

I am confident of it. The more we learn about each other, the sooner we can overcome the obstacles that have accumulated for the past years. The Armenian-Turkish dialogue should never be interrupted. There are not issues that can't be discussed. We should cover all topics, from the Armenian Genocide to opening of borders. Only in this case, Armenians and Turks can reach understanding.