Turkish PM says aims to solve issues with Armenia, poses conditions

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yet again named conditions for opening the border with Armenia – a release of at least one “occupied Azerbaijani region,” Trend reports citing Haberturk.

According to Ahmet Davutoglu, Armenians living in Turkey are part of the country and should not suffer because of the relations between Ankara and Yerevan.

“Turkey aims to solve the problems with Armenians,” Davutoglu added, noting that Ankara doesn’t regard Armenian Diaspora as an enemy. “We share the pain that Armenians suffered,” he said.

Touching upon the celebrations of the centenary of the Battle of Canakkale, the PM underscored that the celebrations have no political overtones.

With plans to hold massive ceremonies to mark the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 23 and 24, Turkey’s president Erdogan sent out invitations to the leaders of 102 countries, including Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan.

The same day president Sargsyan responded to the letter with a rejection.

“Turkey continues its traditional policy of denialism. Year by year, “improving” its tools of history distortion, this time Turkey marks the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 24 for the first time, while it began on March 18, 1915 and lasted till late January, 1916. Furthermore, allies’ land campaign- Gallipoli land battle- took place on April 25, 1915.

Before organizing a commemorative event, Turkey has much more important obligation towards its own people and the entire humanity, namely the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

P.S. A few months ago I invited you to join us in commemoration of the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan on April 24. It is not a common practice for us to be hosted at the invitee’s, without receiving a response to our own invitation,” the president stated.