Turkish authorities expand denial instruments: Serzh Sargsyan

YEREVAN, 7 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan reaffirmed Armenia’s position on the issue of regulation of the Armenian-Turkish relations in the interview with Russian TV, underlining that the Armenian side has never put forward any precondition. During the program “Мнение” of Россия 24 TV channel to the question “does he see any signal in the regulation of the relations by Turkey?”, the President Serzh Sargsyan answered that years ago the Armenian side made an attempt to regulate the relations, when the well-known Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed, but due to some reasons, the Turkish side renounced its duties and hasn’t ratified them.

“Regarding the regulation of the Armenian-Turkish relations, Armenia has never put forward any precondition before Turkey, including the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Recently I have sent a letter to the President of Turkey to come to Armenia on April 24 and pay tribute to the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims. But the Turkish government this time also acted as usual, and not only refused to take part in the commemoration ceremonies, but also made a reverse proposal, inviting to participate in their April 24 events, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli.

Everybody knows that the Gallipoli Battle did not start or end on April 24 and the Turks have never marked the victory in the Battle on that day. This means that once again we are persuaded that the Turkish authorities expand the instruments of the denial and this time too they try to use the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Battle maybe again to prove something or at least to divert the attention of the international community from the events of the Genocide”,-the President of the Republic of Armenia highlighted, Armenpress reports.

Sargsyan also touched upon the Turks in the Turkish society, who recognize the Armenian Genocide and said:“I do not know how fast will increase the number of the people, who are really ready to recognize the Genocide and get rid of this heavy burden, but in any case we see here a positive trend. I am grateful to the Turkish citizens, who have started this movement”.