In the last 22 years, for the first time, the leader of France paid an official visit to Ankara. The President of France, Francois Hollande called the Turkish government to recognize the Armenian Genocide. He stated that “It is always painful but mandatory to remember such events,” and, continuing his speech, he stated that France will adopt the law criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide. To the question of Aravot.am of what impact Francois Hollande’s call will have, the political scientist Stepan Grigoryan replied, “The important part of this statement was that it was made in Ankara. It is clear that if it were made in Paris, it would have another impact. Its main result will be that there will be changes in Turkish society and this statement will leave its imprint in Turkey. It’s not just because France is a big country, but because it was said by the President of France during the official visit. The main impact will be that this issue will became a serious subject for discussion in Turkish community, and and it is positive, since Turkey eventually should recognize the Armenian Genocide.” To the next question whether Turkish-French relations will not deteriorate after this call, Stepan Grigoryan replied, “The relationships were already not quite good, not to speak about deterioration of it. And, then, since this is an official visit, the French President knew that such a thing could happen, and I do not think that the relationship would become more deteriorated than they were. And if Francois Hollande repeated the thesis, which were said in Paris and Ankara, I think, Turkey was to some extent ready for it. I see only positive in it, it is evident that France knows that Turkey is starting to be prepared for the reality that it should recognize the Armenian genocide. And, this is evidenced by the fact which was said by Davutoğlu in Yerevan. However, he touched the issue of genocide.”
Eva HAKOBYAN
