YEREVAN.- Nicolas Sarkozy’s calls on Turkey to face dark pages of its history will not lead to crucial changes in Ankara’s policy on Armenia, said expert in Turkish studies Ruben Melkonyan.

According to him, Sarkozay’s statements reconfirmed there is no alternative to recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“Anti-French sentiments present in the Turkish society will become deeper after these statements were voiced.  The evidence thereof are remarks made by Turkish high ranking officials,” he told journalists.

The expert labeled Sarkozy’s remarks concerning deadlines for Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide as unreal.

“Sarkozy’s statements naturally contained elements of election campaign, taking into account  large Armenian community of France. This statement should be regarded in this context,” Melkonyan stressed.

During his visit to Armenia, Nicolas Sarkozy slammed Turkey for not recognizing the Armenian Genocide, adding France should adopt a law prosecuting the denial of Armenian Genocide in case Turkey refuses to acknowledge its past.