Tweet
GUL SAYS GENOCIDE WAS NOT PART OF TURKEY'S HISTORY
WorldBulletin.net
Jan 26 2011
Turkey
Gul said, "if we concentrate on the history, no one in Europe cannot
look at each other's face."
Wednesday, 26 January 2011 11:44 Turkish President Abdullah Gul said
that genocide had never been a part of Turkey's history, adding,
"if we concentrate on the history, no one in Europe cannot look at
each other's face. What we have to do is to create a better future
together."
President Gul addressed the plenary session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of PACE after Turkey has taken over
chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. He also replied questions
of members of the PACE.
"Turkey has made a series of reforms to raise democratic and legal
standards. There are still many things to do. Turkey is aware of its
deficiencies and continue making reforms with a great determination,"
he said.
President Gul said that general election would take place in Turkey
this summer, adding that preparation of a new constitution would be
high on the country's agenda after the election.
Asked about restoration of places of worship belonged to the minorities
in Turkey, President Gul said, "we are obliged to respect people's
religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is one of the most important
parts of the fundamentals rights and freedoms. Anyone should be able
to perform their religious duties freely in Turkey.
Restoration of old mosques and churches have already begun with the
support of the government. For instance, the historical Armenian
church in eastern Turkey has been restored."
Replying to a question about "illegal" migration, President Gul said,
"Turkey has taken all necessary measures and set up cooperation ties
with international organizations to prevent illegal migration on its
territories. I believe that we need to further develop cooperation
in combat against illegal migration instead of accusing each other."
Referring to Turkey-Israel relations, President Gul said, "Turkey's
role as a mediator in the Middle East aims at ensuring stability,
tranquillity and cooperation in the region. Our country has rooted
relations with all countries in a vast geography. As a result, we have
the capacity to contribute to solution of problems in our region. Both
Israeli government and Palestinians requested our assistance in
the past. Latest situation in Turkey-Israel relations emerged as a
preference of Israel. As for the ongoing Gazan blockade, the Council
of Europe, the United Nations and the other human rights organizations
said that such a collective punishment was not legal. As you know,
an aid flotilla carrying people from 47 countries was subject to
an attack by Israeli forces in the international waters. It is not
Turkey, but Israel which is responsible for the recent situation in
Turkey-Israel relations."
Asked about the Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915,
President Gul said, "genocide has never been a part of our history. We
called on Armenia to establish a joint commission to carry out a
detailed research. We are also ready to open our military and civil
archives. Saddening things happened during the World War 1. The
Ottoman Empire had to relocate some of its citizens after they uprise
against the state. Genocide means intentional killing of people from a
certain faith or race. In those days, Armenian citizens were acting as
ambassadors, members of the higher courts in the Ottoman Empire. All
Armenian churches were open then. It is unacceptable to define those
bitter events as genocide. If we concentrate on the history, no one
in Europe cannot look at each other's face. What we have to do is to
create a better future together."
"Turkey has made a significant progress in its zero-problem policy for
the neighboring countries. Turkey has the political will to normalize
its relations with Armenia. But, 20 percent of Azerbaijiani territory
has been under occupation of Armenia. Armenia has to withdraw from
Azerbaijani territory," he said.
President Gul also complained about the European Union's visa
proceedings for Turkish citizens. "The Union should review and change
its visa policy," he said.
From: A. Papazian
WorldBulletin.net
Jan 26 2011
Turkey
Gul said, "if we concentrate on the history, no one in Europe cannot
look at each other's face."
Wednesday, 26 January 2011 11:44 Turkish President Abdullah Gul said
that genocide had never been a part of Turkey's history, adding,
"if we concentrate on the history, no one in Europe cannot look at
each other's face. What we have to do is to create a better future
together."
President Gul addressed the plenary session of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of PACE after Turkey has taken over
chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers. He also replied questions
of members of the PACE.
"Turkey has made a series of reforms to raise democratic and legal
standards. There are still many things to do. Turkey is aware of its
deficiencies and continue making reforms with a great determination,"
he said.
President Gul said that general election would take place in Turkey
this summer, adding that preparation of a new constitution would be
high on the country's agenda after the election.
Asked about restoration of places of worship belonged to the minorities
in Turkey, President Gul said, "we are obliged to respect people's
religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is one of the most important
parts of the fundamentals rights and freedoms. Anyone should be able
to perform their religious duties freely in Turkey.
Restoration of old mosques and churches have already begun with the
support of the government. For instance, the historical Armenian
church in eastern Turkey has been restored."
Replying to a question about "illegal" migration, President Gul said,
"Turkey has taken all necessary measures and set up cooperation ties
with international organizations to prevent illegal migration on its
territories. I believe that we need to further develop cooperation
in combat against illegal migration instead of accusing each other."
Referring to Turkey-Israel relations, President Gul said, "Turkey's
role as a mediator in the Middle East aims at ensuring stability,
tranquillity and cooperation in the region. Our country has rooted
relations with all countries in a vast geography. As a result, we have
the capacity to contribute to solution of problems in our region. Both
Israeli government and Palestinians requested our assistance in
the past. Latest situation in Turkey-Israel relations emerged as a
preference of Israel. As for the ongoing Gazan blockade, the Council
of Europe, the United Nations and the other human rights organizations
said that such a collective punishment was not legal. As you know,
an aid flotilla carrying people from 47 countries was subject to
an attack by Israeli forces in the international waters. It is not
Turkey, but Israel which is responsible for the recent situation in
Turkey-Israel relations."
Asked about the Armenian allegations on the incidents of 1915,
President Gul said, "genocide has never been a part of our history. We
called on Armenia to establish a joint commission to carry out a
detailed research. We are also ready to open our military and civil
archives. Saddening things happened during the World War 1. The
Ottoman Empire had to relocate some of its citizens after they uprise
against the state. Genocide means intentional killing of people from a
certain faith or race. In those days, Armenian citizens were acting as
ambassadors, members of the higher courts in the Ottoman Empire. All
Armenian churches were open then. It is unacceptable to define those
bitter events as genocide. If we concentrate on the history, no one
in Europe cannot look at each other's face. What we have to do is to
create a better future together."
"Turkey has made a significant progress in its zero-problem policy for
the neighboring countries. Turkey has the political will to normalize
its relations with Armenia. But, 20 percent of Azerbaijiani territory
has been under occupation of Armenia. Armenia has to withdraw from
Azerbaijani territory," he said.
President Gul also complained about the European Union's visa
proceedings for Turkish citizens. "The Union should review and change
its visa policy," he said.
From: A. Papazian