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Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
January 5, 2015 Monday
Turks, Armenians meet at symposium in centennial year of forced migration
Ä°STANBUL (CÄ°HAN)- Turks and Armenians met in Ä°stanbul on Monday to
discuss the historical background of Turkish-Armenian relations in a
year that marks the centennial of the forced migration of Armenians
from Ottoman soil in 1915.
The three-day-long symposium, titled "Turkish-Armenian relations in
the 19th and 20th centuries," is being organized by the Ä°stanbul
Metropolitan Municipality, Ä°stanbul University and the Ä°stanbul branch
of Turk Ocakları in an effort to bring together Turks and Armenians in
this symbolically important year.
Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan, the Armenian patriarch based in Ä°stanbul, and
President of Turk Ocakları Dr. Cezmi Bayram delivered opening speeches
at the symposium. AteÅ?yan said that although the patriarch should stay
out of politics, it is important to make constructive contributions
when the issue is about improving relations. Stating that Turks and
Armenians are like two children who grew up in the same cradle,
AteÅ?yan noted that these two children are supposed to walk into the
future hand-in-hand, though past pains and sorrows cannot be forgotten
and losses cannot be restored. According to AteÅ?yan, these two injured
children can only be healed by impartial doctors on both sides, as the
involvement of foreign doctors would only worsen the situation.
AteÅ?yan also noted that talking about the negativities of the Armenian
diaspora does not do any good and such a vicious cycle should end.
Tatul AnuÅ?yan, a priest who spoke in one of the sessions about the
history of Armenians and the patriarchate, said he is hopeful about
mending bridges between the two nations.
Deputy Rector Mustafa Ak emphasized the importance of dialogue for
peaceful coexistence, adding that instead of looking for scapegoats,
avoiding the repetition of mistakes should be prioritized. According
to him, progress could be made in Turkish-Armenian relations through
dialogue.
On Tuesday night, as a side event to the symposium, a concert will be
held featuring songs of Armenian composers in Turkey.
Müleyke Barutçu, Ä°stanbul (Cihan/Today's Zaman) CÄ°HAN
From: A. Papazian
January 5, 2015 Monday
Turks, Armenians meet at symposium in centennial year of forced migration
Ä°STANBUL (CÄ°HAN)- Turks and Armenians met in Ä°stanbul on Monday to
discuss the historical background of Turkish-Armenian relations in a
year that marks the centennial of the forced migration of Armenians
from Ottoman soil in 1915.
The three-day-long symposium, titled "Turkish-Armenian relations in
the 19th and 20th centuries," is being organized by the Ä°stanbul
Metropolitan Municipality, Ä°stanbul University and the Ä°stanbul branch
of Turk Ocakları in an effort to bring together Turks and Armenians in
this symbolically important year.
Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan, the Armenian patriarch based in Ä°stanbul, and
President of Turk Ocakları Dr. Cezmi Bayram delivered opening speeches
at the symposium. AteÅ?yan said that although the patriarch should stay
out of politics, it is important to make constructive contributions
when the issue is about improving relations. Stating that Turks and
Armenians are like two children who grew up in the same cradle,
AteÅ?yan noted that these two children are supposed to walk into the
future hand-in-hand, though past pains and sorrows cannot be forgotten
and losses cannot be restored. According to AteÅ?yan, these two injured
children can only be healed by impartial doctors on both sides, as the
involvement of foreign doctors would only worsen the situation.
AteÅ?yan also noted that talking about the negativities of the Armenian
diaspora does not do any good and such a vicious cycle should end.
Tatul AnuÅ?yan, a priest who spoke in one of the sessions about the
history of Armenians and the patriarchate, said he is hopeful about
mending bridges between the two nations.
Deputy Rector Mustafa Ak emphasized the importance of dialogue for
peaceful coexistence, adding that instead of looking for scapegoats,
avoiding the repetition of mistakes should be prioritized. According
to him, progress could be made in Turkish-Armenian relations through
dialogue.
On Tuesday night, as a side event to the symposium, a concert will be
held featuring songs of Armenian composers in Turkey.
Müleyke Barutçu, Ä°stanbul (Cihan/Today's Zaman) CÄ°HAN
From: A. Papazian