Banber Arevelagitut'yan Instituti (Jan 2019)
THE QUESTION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FRANCE - TURKEY RELATIONS IN 1970-1980s
Abstract
The Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century. The Armenian people have been striving for the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide for several decades. However, as a result of their activities in 1960-1980s the issue of the Armenian Genocide became a topic of hot discussions for international organizations, parliaments, governments of different states, as well as means of mass media and turned into an issue of international diplomacy starting the process of recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Currently twenty-four nations have passed measures officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide. France, which recognized the Genocide in 2001, experienced negative turns in relations with Turkey. The Turkish ambassador to France was recalled, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry “for a short time for consultations over the latest developments about the baseless allegations of the Armenian Genocide”. While recalling an ambassador for consultations is an official sign of displeasure that has few immediate, practical repercussions, the Turkish government did not stop at this measure. However, the policy of blackmail and intimidation carried out by Turkey regarding Paris does not work. Such hysterical behavior of the Turks is not news or surprise. In this regard, perhaps, it is worth emphasizing that over the last decades the relations between France and Turkey have been periodically exacerbated, as a rule, in connection with various statements of the official Paris regarding the Armenian Genocide.
