The issue of recognizing Armenian Genocide remains a precondition in Armenian-Turkish dialogue, Rouben Melkonyan, Head of “Noravank” scientific-research center, told journalists today. “Turkey’s current approach to Genocide recognition is more realistic and better considered. It makes clear hints on the unlikelihood of recognizing Genocide in the near future,” the Turkologist noted, adding that Turkish government might some day apologize for the death of thousands of Armenians, but would never characterize those events as Armenian Genocide.
Late in May, Ruben Melkonyan visited Baku to participate in a conference devoted to Armenian-Turkish relations. Turkish participants, he said, called on Armenia to influence Diaspora in Genocide recognition process and leave the issue to historians’ consideration. “It is necessary to stress that Turkey faces the problem of unawareness of 1915 events. The country’s schools and universities conduct an anti-Armenian propaganda,” Mr. Melkonyan emphasized.
