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EUROPEAN ARMENIAN FEDERATION
For Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B - 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 (0) 2 732 70 26
Tel./Fax: +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.eafjd.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 02nd, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
JACQUES TOUBON ASKS THE TURKISH DEPUTIES TO RECOGNISE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE.
--On raising the question of genocide in the framework of the EU-Turkey
inter-parliamentary delegation, the European deputy provoked a violent
reaction form the Turkish officials.
--His remarks were outrageously deformed by the Turkish press
Brussels, Belgium - In Strasbourg, on Thursday 24th February, Mr Jacques
Toubon (PPE, France) raised the "unquestionable reality" of the Armenian
Genocide during the 53rd reunion of the EU-Turkey inter-parliamentary
delegation, of which he is the vice-president. During his talk, Mr Toubon
indicated to his Turkish counterparts that the recognition of this genocide
constituted an "important element for Europe" and of its "common values". In
particular he highlighted the numerous recognitions of the genocide by
member countries of the European Union, and the most recent by the
Netherlands, which took place on 21st December, 2004, just after the
European Summit in Brussels.
His statements provoked the rage of the Turkish officials participating in
the meeting, and particularly Mr Sukru Elekdag (CHP- Kemalist Party), former
ambassador to the United States and Mr Oguz Demiralp, Turkey's permanent
representative to the European Union.
Mr Toubon then went on to say that the European Parliament, since 1987, had
on numerous occasions recognised the reality of the genocide and since then,
continually asked Turkey to do the same. He explained that "by refusing to
ratify the Treaty of Sevres of 1920, Turkey did not want to recognise this
genocide" which could be explained in the political context of that time,
but "90 years later, Turkey must change" and adopt European values while
recognising this historic reality.
The Turkish press, the Anatoly official agency, spear headed by the Turkish
Daily News, the same day, misconstrued the remarks of Mr Toubon, alleging
that he had asked Turkey to ratify the Treaty of Sevres. This treaty, signed
notably by the first Armenian Republic and by the Ottoman Empire (as well as
UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, now members of EU)
constituted the reparation for the wrongs of the genocide but was never
ratified by Ankara, while the later Treaty of Lausanne, eluded the question.
"We welcome the courage and the perseverance of Mr Jacques Toubon who was
not influenced by the usual excessive and high bidding methods of the
Turkish deputies" declared Hilda Tchoboian, president of the Euro-Armenian
Federation. As long as the Turkish State uses threatens Europe, and preaches
fear in its publics' opinion, it proves that Turkey is not European" Hilda
Tchoboian concluded.
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For Justice and Democracy
Avenue de la Renaissance 10
B - 1000 BRUXELLES
Tel: +32 (0) 2 732 70 26
Tel./Fax: +32 (0) 2 732 70 27
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.eafjd.org
PRESS RELEASE
March 02nd, 2004
Contact: Talline Tachdjian
Tel.: +32 (0)2 732 70 27
JACQUES TOUBON ASKS THE TURKISH DEPUTIES TO RECOGNISE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE.
--On raising the question of genocide in the framework of the EU-Turkey
inter-parliamentary delegation, the European deputy provoked a violent
reaction form the Turkish officials.
--His remarks were outrageously deformed by the Turkish press
Brussels, Belgium - In Strasbourg, on Thursday 24th February, Mr Jacques
Toubon (PPE, France) raised the "unquestionable reality" of the Armenian
Genocide during the 53rd reunion of the EU-Turkey inter-parliamentary
delegation, of which he is the vice-president. During his talk, Mr Toubon
indicated to his Turkish counterparts that the recognition of this genocide
constituted an "important element for Europe" and of its "common values". In
particular he highlighted the numerous recognitions of the genocide by
member countries of the European Union, and the most recent by the
Netherlands, which took place on 21st December, 2004, just after the
European Summit in Brussels.
His statements provoked the rage of the Turkish officials participating in
the meeting, and particularly Mr Sukru Elekdag (CHP- Kemalist Party), former
ambassador to the United States and Mr Oguz Demiralp, Turkey's permanent
representative to the European Union.
Mr Toubon then went on to say that the European Parliament, since 1987, had
on numerous occasions recognised the reality of the genocide and since then,
continually asked Turkey to do the same. He explained that "by refusing to
ratify the Treaty of Sevres of 1920, Turkey did not want to recognise this
genocide" which could be explained in the political context of that time,
but "90 years later, Turkey must change" and adopt European values while
recognising this historic reality.
The Turkish press, the Anatoly official agency, spear headed by the Turkish
Daily News, the same day, misconstrued the remarks of Mr Toubon, alleging
that he had asked Turkey to ratify the Treaty of Sevres. This treaty, signed
notably by the first Armenian Republic and by the Ottoman Empire (as well as
UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, now members of EU)
constituted the reparation for the wrongs of the genocide but was never
ratified by Ankara, while the later Treaty of Lausanne, eluded the question.
"We welcome the courage and the perseverance of Mr Jacques Toubon who was
not influenced by the usual excessive and high bidding methods of the
Turkish deputies" declared Hilda Tchoboian, president of the Euro-Armenian
Federation. As long as the Turkish State uses threatens Europe, and preaches
fear in its publics' opinion, it proves that Turkey is not European" Hilda
Tchoboian concluded.
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