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ISTANBUL: Davutoglu says Turkey's 1915 statement achieved its goal

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  • ISTANBUL: Davutoglu says Turkey's 1915 statement achieved its goal

    Today's Zaman, Turkey
    April 26 2014

    DavutoÄ?lu says Turkey's 1915 statement achieved its goal

    April 25, 2014, Friday/ 18:01:43/ TODAY'S ZAMAN/ ANKARA


    Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutoÄ?lu has said that a statement
    from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an regarding the tragic events
    of 1915 that led to relocation of Armenian population in Anatolia in
    the First World War in Ottoman Turkey has accomplished its goal,
    considering the reactions worldwide and that the statements was
    primarily aimed at Armenians, rather than other countries.

    `The statement of our prime minister brought positive reactions. It
    has been accepted that regarding this issue, the Turkish people have
    taken a historic step for dialogue and friendship. The message was
    intended for Armenians. It was a humanitarian message. The reactions
    from Armenian groups were extremely positive. The message has achieved
    its goal,' said DavutoÄ?lu during a joint press conference with his
    Sudanese counterpart, Ali Ahmed Karti, on Friday.

    In a historic first for the Turkish Republic, ErdoÄ?an extended
    condolences to the grandchildren of Armenians who lost their lives in
    1915. His surprising statement came just one day before April 24, when
    Armenians commemorate the events they describe as genocide under
    Ottoman rule. The statement was issued by the Prime Ministry on
    Wednesday in nine languages -- Turkish, German, French, English,
    Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian -- in
    a move to make a sure the statement is heard and understood by a wide
    audience.

    `The friendly hand that we have extended has got its response,' added DavutoÄ?lu.

    When asked what Turkey's next step might be after the 1915 statement,
    DavutoÄ?lu replied that on a common historical ground, the two sides
    could discuss the ways how a new future could be established.

    Speaking to private broadcaster NTV on Thursday night, DavutoÄ?lu noted
    that in Turkey's 1915 statement there was a `call to build a consensus
    on history."

    `The Turkish prime minister has extended Turkey's hand to Armenia to
    bring our hearts and minds closer,' said DavutoÄ?lu, adding that `if
    the statement gets an answer, then we can build a future together. If
    not, we will go back to the previous situation.'

    The Turkish foreign minister noted that the statement demonstrates a
    just and humane stance and proposes the idea of building a future
    together.

    DavutoÄ?lu also said that relations between Armenia and Turkey needed
    normalization, which would improve bilateral political relations, help
    establish peace among the two countries' peoples and fix
    Armenia-Azerbaijan relations in the Caucasus.


    In addition, DavutoÄ?lu emphasized that now it was Turkey's turn to
    expect Armenians to offer their condolences to Turkey for the murders
    committed by the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia
    (ASALA) against Turkish diplomats, to avoid one-sidedness.

    ASALA is known for terrorist attacks against Turkish targets in Turkey
    and a number of countries throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The leftist
    group is responsible for the deaths of more than 40 Turkish diplomats
    abroad and has been mostly inactive since 1985.

    DavutoÄ?lu says stability in Sudan means stability in Africa


    DavutoÄ?lu stated that Turkey is ready to cooperate with Sudan for the
    stability of the African continent, adding that stability in Sudan
    will mean stability in the continent. The Turkish foreign minister
    said that during his meeting with Karti, bilateral ties between the
    two countries and development in Africa were discussed.

    `We are ready to make all efforts to aid the recovery of Sudan and to
    enhance the bilateral ties between Turkey and Sudan,' he said, adding
    that maintenance of security and stability in Sudan was of great
    importance to Turkey.

    The Turkish foreign minister also said that Turkey and Sudan had
    agreed to increase their trade volume, which now stands at $300
    million. DavutoÄ?lu also thanked Sudan for supporting Turkey's
    candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2015-16.

    >From his part, Karti said that Sudan would like Turkey to play a
    greater role in the region, adding that Sudan hopes to further enhance
    cooperation with Turkey particularly in the field of trade and the
    military.

    `We wish to benefit from Turkey's experience. Turkey's support for
    Sudan is very important for us. Sudan could serve as a gateway for
    Turkey in the African continent,' said Karti.

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