SHARMAZANOV: IT IS TURKEY THAT MUST TAKE A “BOLD STEP” BY RECOGNIZING AND CONDEMNING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
by Ashot Safaryan
ARMINFO
Friday, June 27, 03:11
It is Turkey rather than Armenia that must take a “bold step” by
recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, Vice Speaker of
the Armenian Parliament, Spokesman of the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov told ArmInfo on Thursday, when asked to
comment on Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s last statement
on Armenian-Turkish relations.
Davutoglu said that “for the Armenians, 1915 was a year of relocation
during which exceedingly great tragedies took place. The years prior
to and after 1915 were also a time of tremendous tragedy for the Turks
in Anatolia” and added that the relations between Ankara and Yerevan
might enter into a “new era” if Armenian Diaspora decides to take
“bold steps” similar to one Ankara has taken.
According to Sharmazanov, Davutoglu is mistaken as in 1915 there was
not a relocation but a genocide, a systematic annihilation of as
many as 1,500,000 Armenians living in their historical land. “So,
I think for a ‘new era’ to start in Armenian-Turkish relations,
Turkey must take steps to face its own history and to recognize the
first genocide of the 20th century,” Sharmazanov said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2014/06/27/sharmazanov-it-is-turkey-that-must-take-a-bold-step-by-recognizin/
