Interview with Marina Vorotnyuk, research fellow of the Center for International Studies of Odessa National University.
Q: How far might the crisis in relations between Ankara and Paris go after the National Assembly of France approves the bill penalizing the denial of genocides (including of the events in the Ottoman Empire in 1915)?
A: This is not the first time when the issue of the recognition of Armenian genocide becomes a stumbling block in the relationship between Turkey and other states. Turkey is very sensitive on the issue and insists on its depolitization. Currently it accuses French authorities of using the issue of genocide as an instrument of electoral struggle.
After the lower chamber of French parliament - the French National Assembly on December, 22 voted for the draft law criminalizing the denial of the genocide, Turkish government responded with a harsh criticism calling this an unfriendly gesture which can seriously impede the bilateral relations. There are the first signs of this deterioration which are, in Turkish Prime-Minister R.T.Erdogan’s words, only ‘the first stage’. The diplomatic, economic and military relations between countries are temporarily suspended.
But that would be an exaggeration to call this event a ‘no-return point’ for French-Turkish relations. France has recognized the mass killings of Armenians in Ottoman Empire in 1915 as a genocide in 2001 (but without criminalization of its denial), and in 2006 the National Assembly already passed the similar decision (which was not supported by the Senate). So, this issue has its history.
In other words, the issue of genocide is only the top of the iceberg. There are much deeper contradictions which might impede Turkish-French partnership. And NATO operation in Libya clearly showed this when Turks after initial reluctance to start the operation changed their minds later unwilling to witness this unilateral “vanity fair” of Sarkozy. But again, alongside with diplomatic declarations, fortunately, there will always be some space for normal working relations between Turkey and France.
Q: How can you explain the Turkophobia in Europe and the unwillingness of some European politicians to see Turkey as the EU member?
A: Turkish membership in the EU is a controversial issue and there are several reasons for the unwillingness of certain European leaders and some parts of European public to grant membership to Turkey. There are security and economic considerations. Alongside with these issues is the cultural one, where the statement that the EU is perceived as a ‘Christian club’ is often referred to. Islamophobia is a serious problem, especially in the light of the declared crash of multiculturalism in Europe. To sum up, Europe is undergoing an ‘enlargement fatigue’ when the EU is more occupied with internal problems as Euro zone crisis, than with the hypothetical Turkish membership which is taken out of the agenda as for now.
Q: What are the prospects of the Armenian-Turkish reconciliation in conditions when the Armenian lobby does not disavow the global campaign for recognition of ‘Armenian genocide’ by parliaments?
A: To be precise, the issue of the recognition of Armenian genocide is not the only one which is bringing the desired Turkish-Armenian rapprochement to the deadlock. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict where Turkey is supporting Azerbaijan is another one. So, this issue should be considered in its complexity. Considering the Turkish position, its “zero problem policy” despite the initial optimism could not bring the détente in relations with Armenia.
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