Ankara may recognize the Armenian Genocide only if Turkish public demands it. Laurence Broers, SOAS University of London, Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus, Department Member, told ArmInfo.
On April 24 2015, the Armenians worldwide marked the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide in the Western Armenia that claimed the lives of 1.5 million Armenians. Turkey still denies the Genocide fact. Meanwhile, 44 States of America, 25 countries, the European Parliament, the World Church Council, many authoritative international organizations have recognized that fact.
"Recognition of the Armenian Genocide has not been an important issue in Great Britain during the last years, considering that our relations with other countries in the region is an obstacle to it. At the same time,
I'd like to say that in the light of the Centennial of that tragedy, in Britain they have showed more interest and awareness of the issue. British historians have documented the process and policy of extermination of the Turkish Armenians long ago. At the scientific level, the Armenian Genocide is recognized in Britain as a historical fact," the analyst said.
Broers wonders what is the political value of the Genocide's recognition for Armenia and if it is a criterion for the country to choose its friends and enemies. For instance, Washington does not recognize the Armenian Genocide, but it has good relations with Armenia and renders a tangible aid to it. Russia recognizes the Armenian Genocide, but there is general opinion that the two countries have complicated relations, which is a matter of concern for many Armenians.
"In this light, it is important that Turkey not Great Britain recognizes the genocide. This requires patience and long-term work with the Turkish public. The international support to this process is also necessary, of course. However, an extra strong pressing would give Ankara a reason to say that super powers exert pressure upon Turkey," the British analyst.