Turkish political scientist Bayram Balci argues that regular references to the Armenian Genocide and Mount Ararat clearly indicate that the border with Turkey is contested in Armenia. Since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Armenian government has not made official claims to any Turkish territory, however the Armenian government has avoided an explicit and formal recognition of the existing Turkish-Armenian border. In a 2010 interview with Der Spiegel, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan was asked whether Armenia wants Mount Ararat back. Sargsyan, in response, said that No one can take Mount Ararat from us; we keep it in our hearts. Wherever Armenians live in the world today, you will find a picture of Mount Ararat in their homes. And I feel certain that a time will come when Mount Ararat is no longer a symbol of the separation between our peoples, but an emblem of understanding. But let me make this clear: Never has a representative of Armenia made territorial demands. Turkey alleges this—perhaps out of its own bad conscience?