YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Germany must reckon with the reality of the Armenian Genocide in order to completely get rid of the black pages of the history, Director of the Oriental Institute of the NAS of Armenia Ruben Safrastyan gave an interview to “Armenpress”.

“Germany has a partial responsibility over the Armenian Genocide. German political, social and scientific circles understand that their country has a big share of responsibility. It could have stopped the genocide, however, it didn’t. The evidence of these are the letters of the German diplomats. If Germany wants to completely get rid of the black pages of the history, it must reckon with the reality of the Armenian Genocide”, Safrastyan said.

Referring to the upcoming discussion over the resolution of the Armenian Genocide in the German Bundestag, Safrastyan said it is hard to say what will be the faith of it. “Of course, there are positive signs from Germany, there are statements which say this time the process will have its logical conclusion, however, from the other side, we see how Turkey puts pressures on Germany. And we have seen previously that Germany gave a way to Turkish pressures. Therefore, I cannot surely say with such statements the resolution will be adopted or not”, he stated.

Eventually, at this stage there are certain restrictions in the EU-Turkey relations. To the question whether the existing situation can lead to the adoption of the Genocide resolution, Ruben Safrastyan said we must remember that EU needs Turkey, and vice versa.  

“Yes, after Davutoglu’s resignation there are some disagreements between the EU and Turkey over the refugee issue. However, the EU needs cooperation with Turkey on the issue of refugees. Turkey wants to use this situation, receive the EU support and solve its issues related to the elimination of visa. In any case, we see the criticism against Turkey, especially Erdogan’s dictatorship is increasing among the German political, social circles. In addition, Erdogan strengthens the tension with his statements”, Safrastyan said.

“As we can see, at this moment the EU-Turkey relations are unstable. And in these circumstances, the issue of the resolution comes. It can be said nothing is clear yet. The situation changes every day, the two sides cooperate on trade”, he stated recalling the statement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said the past should not be used to solve the current problems.