Russian can contribute to the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, whereas the declaration made by Pope Francis about the Armenian Genocide further alienates Turkey from Armenia, Ria Novosti reports citing high-ranking representative of the Turkish MFA.

“The greater involvement of political and religious leaders supporting the Armenia side in this process will only further split the Christians and Muslims, alienating Turkey and Armenia from each other. However, friendly third countries can help in normalization of this conflict if they do not yield to the tension of the Armenian side and are able to listen to our arguments. We think that Russia - which opposes politicization of history and is in good relations with both Turkey and Armenia - can play an important role here,” the Turkish MFA representative said. 

Ha also said that according to the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1948, the recognition of the fact of Genocide requires the decision of an international court, which the Armenian side hasn’t got.

“Knowing the legal aspect of the issue, Armenian leaders are trying to advance this question on political platform. In the countries with strong Armenian Diaspora, they establish ties with the corresponding politicians, who adopt decisions about the Genocide in their parliaments, those decisions having no legal sense. Turkey doesn’t move itself from this situation, but it won’t yield the tension from the Armenian side. We want reconciliation and not conflict, taking into account that our common history with Armenia is about 800 years,” the representative said.

According to him, the Turkish and Armenian sides should not politicize history and blame each other, but meet and discuss the disputable pages of their past. The MFA representative reminded about the call of the Turkish president to the historians of both countries to jointly study the archival sources on the 1915 tragedy, which were opened by Turkey. They are waiting for Armenia to follow suit.

During the mass served by Pope Francis on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the pope stated that the humankind suffered from three massive and unprecedented tragedies in the 20th century – Armenian Genocide, Nazism and Stalinism.  He referred to the tortures suffered by the Armenians in the beginning of the 20th century as “the first genocide of the 20th century.” After that the Vatican ambassador to Ankara was summoned for an explanation, and the Turkish ambassador to the Vatican was recalled for consultations.