Politics 10:50 04/06/2016 Armenia

Germany joins countries mentioning Armenian Genocide in context of their political interests, expert on Turkey says

the Armenian Genocide almost unanimously. Panorama.am spoke to Deputy Dean of Faculty of Oriental Studies of Yerevan State University, expert on Turkey, Ruben Melkonyan about the significance and motives of the Bundestag decision and its possible political consequences.

panorama.am – Will you comment on the Bundestag decision?
Melkonyan – I think this issue should be considered rather on the plane of cold political calculations then romantic-sentimental. Indeed, the adoption of the resolution is a positive and exciting move. In this respect, the international political responses following the adoption of the resolution are most significant. Turkey’s aggressive behaviour, which once again showed that they are far from international standards, was also noteworthy. Yet if we view this issue in the context of cold political calculations, it is clear that it must first be considered within the framework of Germany’s policy. Despite the strong Turkish presence and the 4 million community, Germany had to implement restrictive measures against Ankara’s growing ambitions and aggression.  One of these restrictive measures was raising the Armenian Genocide issue. On the other hand, at this point this move should be viewed in the context of refugee crisis in Germany and throughout Europe and other important issues on the political agenda. It should be noted that Germany has joined the countries mentioning the Armenian Genocide in the context of their political interests. This in turn shows that the Armenian Genocide has become a subject of international political trade. I’ve never come across such developments for example concerning the Holocaust, even though it’s an undeniable and proven crime, which has been compromised accordingly. However, there was no mention about any compromise in the adopted resolution. In this respect, I think we should avoid undue excitement and view this issue in the context of a big international game, where we have our interests that is, the Armenian Genocide being recognized in more countries which in turn will contribute to worldwide recognition.

panorama.am – In the adopted resolution, Germany not only recognized the Armenian Genocide, but also admitted the role and complicity of German Empire in the crime. What do you think this fact, particularly using the term ‘Mitschuld’ (complicity) is conditioned by?
Melkonyan – Indeed it is very important, and I think that it couldn’t have been omitted from the resolution, as everyone knows what role Germany had in the Armenian Genocide and what the relationship between German and Ottoman Empires was. On the other hand, I’m sure this had a positive effect on the country’s reputation. Once again, Germany proved it belongs to those countries able to admit, apologize and repent for their crimes. However, I don’t believe this will have any legal consequences.The fact that Germany admits its complicity is a politically, historically and morally significant development. However, I don’t think it implies certain compromise. Yet using the term is one of the most positive and important aspects of the resolution, as one of the most significant countries of the civilized Europe eventually admitted its complicity, which will lead to new developments. If the last year’s mass and the speech of the Pope on April 12 became the beginning of interesting developments, then Germany’s confession can also mark the beginning of a significant process, as there are other countries having their share of complicity in the implementation of the Armenian Genocide

panorama.am – Does it mean such developments should be expected to occur in the ‘domino effect’?
Melkonyan – I don’t think that’s the most appropriate wording. However, it’s indisputable that Germany’s decision can mark the beginning of curious developments and have its effect on further steps of other countries and societies. This is an overall important move for the international community, especially the perception of ordinary citizens. If a democratic country like Germany, a locomotive EU state remaining faithful to the European values recognizes the Genocide, speaks about admitting its responsibility, then this cannot possible have a negative impact on the implementation of the Armenian Cause.

panorama.am – What do you think the actions of the Armenian side should be?
Melkonyan – I think the official responses are consistent with the accepted standards. This concerns both statements by the Armenian President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should be noted that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is one of the priorities of our foreign policy. As far as it concerns future plans, we should develop this wave and combine our existing achievements in other European countries to present them on even higher platforms. The positions of France, Germany and the Pope can be viewed as the general opinion of the civilized Europe on the Armenian Genocide.
I think the target for our further steps should be the UK, which is trying to avoid expressing a clear assessment on this matter. We shouldn’t forget that the UK also had its ties with the Ottoman Empire. I think we should show maximum restraint in this matter to avoid the complex of another moral victory.
We should avoid our emotional approaches and firmly stand on the demanding side just like the Jewish nation and Israel do in case of Holocaust.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

12:46
Israeli football fans attacked in Amsterdam
Assailants attacked Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam on Thursday, with the Dutch prime minister vowing those responsible would be “tracked...
12:34
Armenia's Gyumri heading for snap elections
Snap municipal elections will be held in Armenia’s second largest city of Gyumri. In a statement on Friday, Knarik Harutyunyan, the...
12:05
Reducing sugar in first 1,000 days of life may protect against chronic diseases, study says
A study published on Friday in the journal Science found that reducing sugar in the first 1,000 days after conception – through...
11:30
Armenian sends 20 players to European Individual Chess Championship
The European Individual Chess Championship 2024 is being held in Petrovac, Montenegro from 7-20 November. The championship is an...
11:15
Iran to develop relations with neighbors regardless of US election results, leader says
Iran plans to expand partnership with neighboring and Islamic countries regardless of whom America elected as its new leader, TASS...
11:00
Pashinyan, Macron meet in Budapest
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Budapest on Thursday. The meeting was held on the...
17:03
Senator Jadot urges French government to boycott COP29 in Baku
French Senator Yannick Jadot has called on the French government to boycott the COP29 UN climate summit in Baku. “COP29...
16:32
Deputy FM: Armenia hopes for full normalization with Turkey
Armenia hopes for full normalization of relations with Turkey, including the opening of their shared border, Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan...
16:03
Analyst: Trump and Biden only US presidents who held no meetings with Pashinyan
Donald Trump and Joe Biden have become the only U.S. presidents who have held no meetings or phone calls with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol...
15:31
Temperatures to rise in Armenia next week
Clear weather is expected in all parts of Armenia on Thursday and in the next few days. The capital Yerevan will also see rainless...
15:14
Russia sees preconditions for improvement of South Caucasus situation
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu says that Moscow sees prerequisites for improvement of the situation in the South...
14:36
Armenia to take €236 million loan from EIB for North-South road construction
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €236 million to Armenia to finance the construction of the Sisian-Kajaran road. The...
14:06
Armenia seeks to intensify talks with Azerbaijan, deputy FM says
Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan says that Armenia and Azerbaijan have not yet finally agreed on all terms in the bilateral peace treaty....
13:30
US pushing Armenia to 'suicide', Russian intelligence says
The US is determined to force Armenia down an anti-Russian path and towards “national suicide,” the Russian Foreign Intelligence...
13:00
Turkey's Erdogan visits Budapest for EPC summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan on Wednesday travelled to Budapest, Hungary, to attend the fifth summit of the...
12:36
Armenian government approves Mesrop Mesropyan's candidacy for PSRC head
The Armenian government on Thursday approved the candidacy of Mesrop Mesropyan as the new head of the Public Services Regulatory Commission...
12:08
Opposition MP: Armenian leadership has illusions about normalization with Turkey
Armenia’s authorities have illusions about building relations with Turkey, a country whose leader called Azerbaijani victory in the 2020...
11:38
15 cutting-edge Apple devices for Byblos Bank Armenia Mastercard Digital cardholders
Byblos Bank Armenia, in partnership with Mastercard, has launched a new campaign featuring a giveaway of 5 iPhone 16 Pros, 5 Apple Watch SE (2nd...
11:33
Lawmakers express grave concerns about U.S. participation in COP29 in Baku
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL),...
11:15
Trump's election victory likely upends all criminal cases against him
Donald Trump's presidential victory is also a win as he seeks to resolve his four criminal indictments. His win may largely free Trump...
11:00
Leopard again caught on camera in Armenia's Zangezur Biosphere Complex
A female leopard, named Misty, has again been caught on camera in Armenia's Zangezur Biosphere Complex, WWF Armenia reported....
17:03
International congress marking Sergei Parajanov's anniversary held in Madrid
Upon the initiative of the Chair of Armenian Studies at the Complutense University of Madrid and with the support of the Armenian Embassy in...
16:35
Political analyst: US election outcome exposed failure of Pashinyan's policies
Political analyst Suren Surenyants has reacted to Republican nominee Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. In...
16:06
Kate Middleton 'back training at the gym' and expected to resume overseas travel
The Princess of Wales is starting to return to royal duties in the name of causes close to her heart, HELLO! reports. Last month she...
15:50
Levon Ter-Petrosyan undergoes minor surgery
Armenia's former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan has successfully undergone a minor surgery, his spokesperson Arman Musinyan reveals....
15:35
Clear weather expected in next few days
Clear weather is expected in Armenia on Wednesday and in the next few days. Temperatures are set to further drop by 3-4C on Wednesday,...
14:57
UJA slams Armenian parliament speaker's disrespectful behavior towards reporter
The Armenian Union of Journalists on Tuesday issued a statement blasting National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan for his disrespectful behavior...
14:34
Pashinyan congratulates Trump on 'impressive' election win
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the U.S. presidential election. "Warmest...
14:11
Armenian parliament speaker accused of insulting reporter
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has come under fire for disrespectful behavior towards Vahe Makaryan, a reporter for the...
13:30
World leaders congratulate Trump on election victory
World leaders raced to praise Donald Trump as he claimed a stunning US election victory over Kamala Harris, while financial markets also...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}