Vladimir Zakharov: Armenian-Turkish process to become more active after April 24

April 21, 2010 - 14:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Director of the Center of Caucasian Researches of Moscow State Institute of Foreign Relations Vladimir Zakharov said that the political factor has always existed in the Armenian Genocide issue. “Unfortunately, the political factor is also observed in the Armenian-Turkish negotiations. The problem’s solution is not seen, as political games underlie it and not people’s memory,” Mr. Zakharov said during Historical Memory and Contemporary Reality Yerevan-Moscow space bridge dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. He added that the massacre of Armenians in Azerbaijan from 1918-1920 is also genocide. “This chain ended with the events in Azerbaijani cities 20 years ago,” the expert said.

Commenting on the Armenian-Turkish normalization, Vladimir Zakharov stated that active actions will be observed from all sides after April 24 (the day of the Armenian Genocide commemoration.) “Most of all the U.S. is interested in the Armenian-Turkish relations and, most probably, Washington will succeed in its pressure on Turkey,” the expert said.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

The Armenian-Turkish Protocols

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

Commenting on the CC ruling, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “it contains preconditions and restrictive provisions which impair the letter and spirit of the Protocols.” ”The decision undermines the very reason for negotiating these Protocols as well as their fundamental objective. This approach cannot be accepted on our part. Turkey, in line with its accustomed allegiance to its international commitments, maintains its adherence to the primary provisions of these Protocols. We expect the same allegiance from the Armenian government,” the Ministry said.