YEREVAN. – The prospects for the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations are not great, stated Swiss historian Hans-Lukas Kieser, during his remarks Friday at the Office of the President of Armenia. 

As reported earlier, Kieser received the President’s 2016 award, in recognition of his significant contribution to Armenian Genocide Studies.

In his words, there is now a certain déjà vu in Turkey regarding this matter, and this is quite perilous. As for his contribution to Armenian Genocide Studies, Kieser stressed that he is just doing his job as a historian.

Pakrat Estukyan, editor of the Armenian section of Agos Armenian bilingual weekly of Istanbul, who also received the President’s award, in recognition of his significant contribution to Armenian Genocide issue, for his part, noted that Armenians in Turkey still retain their national traditions.

“I’ve worked for years with Hrant Dink in the same room,” added Estukyan. “And, today, I’m very happy that the young [Armenian] generation [in Turkey] is taking the same path.”

Hrant Dink, the founder and chief editor of Agos, was gunned down on January 19, 2007, outside the then office of this Armenian bilingual weekly.