Pope’s step on the issue of Armenian Genocide is irreversible: Ruben Safrastyan

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 5, ARMENPRESS. What Pope Francis did in 2015 related to the issue of the Armenian Genocide is an irreversible step, DirectorofInstituteofOriental Studiesof the Republic of Armenia (RA) NAS, expert in Turkish studiesRuben Safrastyan mentioned in the media hall of “Armenpress” referring to Turkey’s announcement as if Vatican has changed its position on the issue of the Armenian Genocide.

“I consider this as Turksih cunning diplomatic step. I think this issue should be approached very carefully as we remember what big step Pope took in the previous year. We still need to wait and then to make a clear notion. The step which Pope took last year is irreversible,” Ruben Safrastyan said. Asked whether Vatican would react or not, Ruben Safrastyan said that it is up to Vatican.

Expert in Turkish studies mentioned the archives in Vatican state what happened in 1915 was a Genocide.

“The Vatican archives are studied by historians. Important documents were published and more important ones are going to be published. One of the German researchers studied significant documents and presented them. The documents clearly show that mass killings were carried out on the basis of the program prepared by the Ottoman Turkish government. I do not think there will be a Turkish historian who will find something in order to confirm the Turkish fraud,” Ruben Safrastyan said.