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Daily Sabah, Turkey
Jan 31 2015
Turkey condemns Sargsyan's 'invitation' remarks
DAILY SABAH WITH ANADOLU AGENCY
ISTANBUL
Turkey's presidential spokesman has strongly condemned the remarks by
Armenian President Sargsyan in regards to President ErdoÄ?an's
invitation to commemoration ceremonies in Turkey marking the 100th
anniversary of the World War I Gallipoli campaign this year on 23-24
April.
"It is impossible for us to accept these expressions that target the
president's invitation to Armenia and that are in contravention of
diplomatic practices. We return these remarks, which are not
appropriate for a leader of neighboring country and representative of
Armenian nation," Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın told Anadolu Agency on
Saturday.
Kalın stated that Armenian administration conducts an international
campaign against Turkey by using a hate speech, which is against all
forms of diplomatic practice.
The spokesman further said: "Turkey will continue to stand against all
attempts to manipulate a one-sided view of history through
exploitative politicking. Our President called on historians for the
establishment of a "Common History Commission" in 2005 to examine
Turkey and Armenia's common history and ensured the signing of 2009
protocols that paved the way for the normalization of Turkey-Armenia
relations. As a continuation of this peaceful and constructive
attitude, he issued a condolence message addressing all Armenians on
April 23, 2014.
"With these brave and extraordinary steps, a clear position has been
established against policies based on exploiting the pain of 1915. But
on every occasion, Armenia gave no response to these moves by Turkey."
Kalın also added that the Armenian government was welcoming towards
neither having a fair discussion for the events of 1915 nor ending the
occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh to normalize its relations with Turkey
and Azerbaijan and to establish peace and stability in the region.
"This attitude is particularly damaging to Armenia and Armenians," he said.
Emphasizing that irrespective of what happened Turkey had been taking
many steps for the benefit of both its Armenian citizens and the state
of Armenia, Kalın said: "The long-established Turkish-Armenian
friendship will continue to survive despite the provocations of
radical groups."
He said that it appeared unrealistic to expect Turkey's sincere steps
to be appreciated by President Sargsyan and his administration.
"The Armenian government's shallow and hateful discourse seems
incapable of grasping the meaning of the Battle of Canakkale," Kalın
said.
President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an invited more than 100 world leaders,
including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, to attend a special
ceremony on April 23-24 commemorating the bloody battle.
As response, Sargsyan blamed Turkey for editing its own history
through marking the anniversary of the Gallipoli Battle on the day
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as he
called Turkey's decision short-sighted and cynical, according to
ArmeniaNow.com.
Relations between Turkey and Armenia have historically been poor
because of incidents that took place during World War I. The Armenian
diaspora and government describe the 1915 events as "genocide" and
have asked for compensation.
Turkey officially refutes this description, saying that although
Armenians died during relocations, many Turks also lost their lives in
attacks carried out by Armenian gangs in Anatolia.
Ankara has also long been calling for Armenia and its historians to
make a joint academic research and study into the archives of both
countries.
In April 2014, President ErdoÄ?an-at the time prime minister-offered
condolences for the Armenian deaths that occurred in 1915-a first for
a Turkish statesman.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2015/01/31/turkey-condemns-sargsyans-invitation-remarks
Jan 31 2015
Turkey condemns Sargsyan's 'invitation' remarks
DAILY SABAH WITH ANADOLU AGENCY
ISTANBUL
Turkey's presidential spokesman has strongly condemned the remarks by
Armenian President Sargsyan in regards to President ErdoÄ?an's
invitation to commemoration ceremonies in Turkey marking the 100th
anniversary of the World War I Gallipoli campaign this year on 23-24
April.
"It is impossible for us to accept these expressions that target the
president's invitation to Armenia and that are in contravention of
diplomatic practices. We return these remarks, which are not
appropriate for a leader of neighboring country and representative of
Armenian nation," Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın told Anadolu Agency on
Saturday.
Kalın stated that Armenian administration conducts an international
campaign against Turkey by using a hate speech, which is against all
forms of diplomatic practice.
The spokesman further said: "Turkey will continue to stand against all
attempts to manipulate a one-sided view of history through
exploitative politicking. Our President called on historians for the
establishment of a "Common History Commission" in 2005 to examine
Turkey and Armenia's common history and ensured the signing of 2009
protocols that paved the way for the normalization of Turkey-Armenia
relations. As a continuation of this peaceful and constructive
attitude, he issued a condolence message addressing all Armenians on
April 23, 2014.
"With these brave and extraordinary steps, a clear position has been
established against policies based on exploiting the pain of 1915. But
on every occasion, Armenia gave no response to these moves by Turkey."
Kalın also added that the Armenian government was welcoming towards
neither having a fair discussion for the events of 1915 nor ending the
occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh to normalize its relations with Turkey
and Azerbaijan and to establish peace and stability in the region.
"This attitude is particularly damaging to Armenia and Armenians," he said.
Emphasizing that irrespective of what happened Turkey had been taking
many steps for the benefit of both its Armenian citizens and the state
of Armenia, Kalın said: "The long-established Turkish-Armenian
friendship will continue to survive despite the provocations of
radical groups."
He said that it appeared unrealistic to expect Turkey's sincere steps
to be appreciated by President Sargsyan and his administration.
"The Armenian government's shallow and hateful discourse seems
incapable of grasping the meaning of the Battle of Canakkale," Kalın
said.
President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄ?an invited more than 100 world leaders,
including Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, to attend a special
ceremony on April 23-24 commemorating the bloody battle.
As response, Sargsyan blamed Turkey for editing its own history
through marking the anniversary of the Gallipoli Battle on the day
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as he
called Turkey's decision short-sighted and cynical, according to
ArmeniaNow.com.
Relations between Turkey and Armenia have historically been poor
because of incidents that took place during World War I. The Armenian
diaspora and government describe the 1915 events as "genocide" and
have asked for compensation.
Turkey officially refutes this description, saying that although
Armenians died during relocations, many Turks also lost their lives in
attacks carried out by Armenian gangs in Anatolia.
Ankara has also long been calling for Armenia and its historians to
make a joint academic research and study into the archives of both
countries.
In April 2014, President ErdoÄ?an-at the time prime minister-offered
condolences for the Armenian deaths that occurred in 1915-a first for
a Turkish statesman.
http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2015/01/31/turkey-condemns-sargsyans-invitation-remarks