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'RELATIONS WITH TURKEY COULD IMPROVE' ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TELLS EURONEWS
Euro News
April 22 2015
22/04 19:01 CET
Armenia has renewed calls for the 1915 massacre of up to 1.5 million
of its people to be internationally recognised under one label.
As the 100th anniversary of the event approaches, the debate has been
reopened over whether or not the deportation and death of Armenians at
the hands of Ottoman Turkish forces constitutes genocide.
Turkey denies any genocidal intent, insisting on lack of evidence and
claiming the Armenian deaths were a consequence of fighting during
World War I.
However, in an interview with euronews, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan reiterated his country's view that the mass killings should
be termed genocide.
"Without a doubt, the recognition of the genocide by the Turks is the
shortest path to the reconciliation of our nations. And it is my
strong conviction that, if it is done sincerely, I believe, in a short
period of time, relations between Armenia and Turkey could reach a new
and quite a high level."
Turkey admits that around half a million Armenians were killed, but
says a similar number of Turks also lost their lives.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Ottoman Armenians will be
remembered on April 24, 2015: the 100th anniversary of the deportation
and deaths.
The European Parliament, France, Pope Francis and - from Monday (April
20) - Germany are among the countries and institutions using the term
genocide in relation to the massacre. The US has, so far, refrained.
The full interview with President Sargsyan will be on air and online
on euronews.com from 8.20pm CET on Wednesday, April 22.
http://www.euronews.com/2015/04/22/relations-with-turkey-could-improve-armenian-president-tells-euronews/
Euro News
April 22 2015
22/04 19:01 CET
Armenia has renewed calls for the 1915 massacre of up to 1.5 million
of its people to be internationally recognised under one label.
As the 100th anniversary of the event approaches, the debate has been
reopened over whether or not the deportation and death of Armenians at
the hands of Ottoman Turkish forces constitutes genocide.
Turkey denies any genocidal intent, insisting on lack of evidence and
claiming the Armenian deaths were a consequence of fighting during
World War I.
However, in an interview with euronews, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan reiterated his country's view that the mass killings should
be termed genocide.
"Without a doubt, the recognition of the genocide by the Turks is the
shortest path to the reconciliation of our nations. And it is my
strong conviction that, if it is done sincerely, I believe, in a short
period of time, relations between Armenia and Turkey could reach a new
and quite a high level."
Turkey admits that around half a million Armenians were killed, but
says a similar number of Turks also lost their lives.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said Ottoman Armenians will be
remembered on April 24, 2015: the 100th anniversary of the deportation
and deaths.
The European Parliament, France, Pope Francis and - from Monday (April
20) - Germany are among the countries and institutions using the term
genocide in relation to the massacre. The US has, so far, refrained.
The full interview with President Sargsyan will be on air and online
on euronews.com from 8.20pm CET on Wednesday, April 22.
http://www.euronews.com/2015/04/22/relations-with-turkey-could-improve-armenian-president-tells-euronews/