At the "Hayeli Club" on December 10th, Pakrat Estukian, Armenian language editor at the Istanbul-based Agos weekly, stated that Turkey would officially recognize the Armenian Genocide within the next 5-10 years. Mr. Estukian asserted that Turkey was warming up to the European Union and that Armenia had adopted a similar economic approach. Given this, Turkey would have to resolve political impediments in order to take advantage of an important market and capital. Mr. Estukian asserted that the Turks would have to come up with a suitable lexicon which which to negotitate with Armenians. "Of course, territorial demands should be avoided. Genocide recognition won't be easy but it's unavoidable given that it's an historical fact." He mentioned that the recent initiative of Turkish intellectuals who issued a public statement personally apologizing for the events of 1915 received widespread coverage in Turkey and was a constant topic of conversation. The statement, published in Agos, will continue to collect signatures for another year after which it will again be published in the paper. The Agos editor also stated that the closed border between Armenia and Turkey is an "abnormality" given that borders between normal states must be open. "We can fly to Armenia from Istanbul in under two hours. A closed border makes no sense. Trade goes on despite it. You can see Turkish goods in Yerevan's markets". In Mr. Estukian's opinion Turkey keeps the border closed to keep the Azeris happy. "The present regime in Turkey will come to realize the senselessness of a closed border. It will soon open because the presidents of the two nations have already strated to dialogue."