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EU'S JOB IS NOT TO JUDGE HISTORY, SAYS FULE
Today's Zaman
May 14 2010
Turkey
The EU enlargement commissioner had said it is not the EU's job to
judge history with respect to the 1915 Armenian killings under the
Ottoman Empire.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule's remarks came in answer to
written questions from some extreme right-wing members of the European
Parliament as to whether or not the EU has recognized the so-called
Armenian genocide. Fule said the EU's job was not to judge history
but to establish peace. He added that the EU is an organization aiming
to institute peace, democracy, stability and welfare in the continent
and is focused on the future.
The parliaments of several European Union member countries including
France, Lithuania and Sweden have recognized the Armenian killings in
1915 as genocide. Turkey vehemently rejects the allegations, claiming
that both sides suffered during World War I and that the issue needs
to be discussed by historians.
In his response Fule said the European Commission is encouraging
Turkey and Armenia to remain loyal to the normalization process and
has consistently called for the ratification of the protocols set
up between the two countries in a reasonable period of time without
setting any preconditions.
Noting that the complete reconciliation of Turkey and Armenia will
greatly contribute to security, stability and cooperation in the
South Caucasus, Fule said to overcome the tragedies of the past,
vision, courage and dialogue is necessary.
In reply to a question from the EP Christian Democrat deputy Diogo Feio
regarding the trials concerning coup plans Fule said Turkey carries
the responsibility of disclosing the truth to the Turkish public
surrounding the accusations against the Ergenekon suspects. He said the
European Commission is closely monitoring the ongoing investigations
and that the suspects should be tried with the right to security and
liberty of a person and the right to a fair trial protected by the
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Today's Zaman
May 14 2010
Turkey
The EU enlargement commissioner had said it is not the EU's job to
judge history with respect to the 1915 Armenian killings under the
Ottoman Empire.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule's remarks came in answer to
written questions from some extreme right-wing members of the European
Parliament as to whether or not the EU has recognized the so-called
Armenian genocide. Fule said the EU's job was not to judge history
but to establish peace. He added that the EU is an organization aiming
to institute peace, democracy, stability and welfare in the continent
and is focused on the future.
The parliaments of several European Union member countries including
France, Lithuania and Sweden have recognized the Armenian killings in
1915 as genocide. Turkey vehemently rejects the allegations, claiming
that both sides suffered during World War I and that the issue needs
to be discussed by historians.
In his response Fule said the European Commission is encouraging
Turkey and Armenia to remain loyal to the normalization process and
has consistently called for the ratification of the protocols set
up between the two countries in a reasonable period of time without
setting any preconditions.
Noting that the complete reconciliation of Turkey and Armenia will
greatly contribute to security, stability and cooperation in the
South Caucasus, Fule said to overcome the tragedies of the past,
vision, courage and dialogue is necessary.
In reply to a question from the EP Christian Democrat deputy Diogo Feio
regarding the trials concerning coup plans Fule said Turkey carries
the responsibility of disclosing the truth to the Turkish public
surrounding the accusations against the Ergenekon suspects. He said the
European Commission is closely monitoring the ongoing investigations
and that the suspects should be tried with the right to security and
liberty of a person and the right to a fair trial protected by the
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).