Armenian President: We expect Turkey to show political will

Establishment of diplomatic relations, opening of borders is beneficial not only for Armenia and Turkey but also for Georgia, Azerbaijan and our whole region, President Serzh Sargsyan told in his interview to the Profile Magazine.

“Really, it was one of the most difficult steps in my life, but I took it consciously. Yes, Turks committed the Genocide. Yes, they seized our territories of vital importance. Yes, they denied that crime for a hundred years. And denying crime is maybe even graver than committing it. On the other hand, presently, almost all states have unsolved issues, historical problems in their interrelations. A civilized response to similar challenges is large-scale cooperation without preconditions. Therefore, I supposed it would be wrong to wait until Turkey accepted the Genocide,” President said.

Serzh Sargsyan stressed that Armenian society and especially Diaspora Armenians did not accept his approach unequivocally.

“And I understand them; our people is emotional, almost every family is affected by the Genocide. However, I am glad that after all, our people realized it. I think very few now think I was wrong.”

“Our striving for normalizing our relations with Turkey does not contradict to our national interests, it does not mean we abandon the process of international recognition of the Genocide or we make concessions. After this process was launched, unexpected developments took place in Turkey: young people in Turkey started to speak about the Genocide,” President said.

“Our relations are not yet normalized. Turkey refused to ratify the bilateral protocols in parliament. Now we expect political forces or leaders to appear in Turkey who will be ready to show political will,” Serzh Sargsyan said.