Turkey has already started recognition of Armenian Genocide: Gerard Depardieu

Turkey has already started the process of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, famous French film actor Gerard Depardieu said at a press conference today asked whether Turkey would one day recognize the Genocide committed in 1915 during the breaking days of the Ottoman Empire.

"I think that they [Turks] have already started that process gradually. I do not want to be engaged in politics here, but I know that there are countries that have put this issue before Turkey. Culture is playing a big role here," said he, adding that he attaches far more importance to culture rather than to politics.

In his words, politics is the balancing of interests, while culture it the internal freedom of a human being, the freedom of his/her roots.

"People should be taught that they are different, and there is no need to be afraid of those differences," he added.

Mr Depardieu is currently in Armenia in the framework of the Karot International Festival.

Earlier this morning he visited Tsitsernakaberd - the memorial complex erected to the victims of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the early 20th century by Ottoman Turks.

The Karot festival kicked off on 2 September in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and currently continues in Yerevan.