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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.
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.