Turkish MPs fault France for raising alleged Armenian genocide in EU talks
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
24 Feb 05
Strasbourg, 24 February: Turkish MPs reacted to French MP Jacques
Toubon who brought alleged Armenian genocide to the table and wanted
Turkey to accept Sevres Treaty. Turkey’s relations with its neighbours
were discussed in the closing session of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Commission (JPC) meeting held in Strasbourg on Thursday [24
February]. Turkey’s relations particularly with Armenia, Greece and
Cyprus were assessed during the meeting that was closed to the
press. Speaking at the meeting, Toubon said European Parliament made a
decision about the alleged Armenian genocide and argued that Turkey
should recognize the so-called genocide before joining European union
(EU).
[Turkish opposition] Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Sukru Elekdag
denied the claims of Toubon, saying they were baseless. Explaining
Turkish-Armenian relations Elekdag said Turkey supported the idea that
allegations of genocide be searched solely by historians and not by
the politicians. Elekdag suggested that a committee of experts
composed of Turkish and Armenian historians be formed under the
auspices of UNESCO to investigate the issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress