Armenian experts doubt efficiency of EP's calls for recognition of Genocide

The call of the European Parliament (EP) to EU member-states to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 is no lever of influence on Turkey, said Levon Ovsepyan, a Turkologist.

Ara Papyan, the head of the centre "Modus Vivendi", believes that today the most important is the issue of compensation for the property lost by Armenians in Turkey. Ruben Megrabyan, a political analyst, is sure that the EU is unable to solve the compensation problem.

On March 12, the EP adopted an annual report "On human rights and democracy in the world in 2013", which contains a call to the EU countries to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

Levon Ovsepyan believes that the EP's call is a very important step, especially on the eve of the centennial anniversary of the start of Genocide, but not an outstanding event, since such acts had been repeatedly adopted by European structures.

He has added that an initiative of the EP to criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide could be a more efficient measure.

In the opinion of Megrabyan, the solution of the issues of compensation and reimbursement of the lost Armenians' property, as well as of territorial claims, looks unrealistic. He added that the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide will restore justice and give due tribute to the victims.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.