Press TV, Iran
April 8 2013
Turkey urges Canada to end policy on Armenian genocide
Turkish ambassador to Canada says the Ottawa government's 2004 move to
term the killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide has
damaged trading relationship between the two countries.
In an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press, Tuncay Babali
stated that Turkey wants to forge a deeper economic relationship with
Canada but the latter's position on the First World War-era issue of
the killing of Armenians hinders the development of business ties.
"I'm a true believer in the potential of our two nations. Canada has a
lot to offer Turkey and Turkey in return has a lot to offer Canada,"
he added.
Babali noted, "It cannot be business as usual while accusing a nation
of genocide. It's a serious allegation. It needs to be substantiated,
legally, historically."
The $2.5 billion in two-way trade between countries "is far from the
potential" of what Turkey predicts would result from deeper economic
ties, he said.
The Turkish ambassador highlighted that Turkey would like to open free
trade talks with Canada.
Armenia claims that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed in an act
of genocide carried out by the forces of the Ottoman Empire in 1915
and 1916.
Turkey rejects the use of the word `genocide' and instead says that
only 500,000 Armenians died and they were casualties of World War I.
MP/MA
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/08/297138/canada-urged-to-end-armenian-policy/
April 8 2013
Turkey urges Canada to end policy on Armenian genocide
Turkish ambassador to Canada says the Ottawa government's 2004 move to
term the killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide has
damaged trading relationship between the two countries.
In an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press, Tuncay Babali
stated that Turkey wants to forge a deeper economic relationship with
Canada but the latter's position on the First World War-era issue of
the killing of Armenians hinders the development of business ties.
"I'm a true believer in the potential of our two nations. Canada has a
lot to offer Turkey and Turkey in return has a lot to offer Canada,"
he added.
Babali noted, "It cannot be business as usual while accusing a nation
of genocide. It's a serious allegation. It needs to be substantiated,
legally, historically."
The $2.5 billion in two-way trade between countries "is far from the
potential" of what Turkey predicts would result from deeper economic
ties, he said.
The Turkish ambassador highlighted that Turkey would like to open free
trade talks with Canada.
Armenia claims that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed in an act
of genocide carried out by the forces of the Ottoman Empire in 1915
and 1916.
Turkey rejects the use of the word `genocide' and instead says that
only 500,000 Armenians died and they were casualties of World War I.
MP/MA
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/08/297138/canada-urged-to-end-armenian-policy/