Turkey’s Erdogan Speaks Of ‘WWI Hardships’ For Armenians

 April 25, 2026  
By PanARMENIAN

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a message marking April 24, again stated that “Armenians of the Ottoman Empire lost their lives under the difficult conditions of World War I.”

In a condolence letter addressed to Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Sahak Mashalian, Erdogan wrote that the collapse of the Ottoman Empire was accompanied by clashes, movements of armed groups, terrorism, and epidemics, during which Armenians, along with other peoples, suffered deeply, RFE/RL reports.

Erdogan’s message was read during a church service held at an Armenian church in Istanbul.

“We prefer agreement over conflict,” the Turkish president wrote.

He did not address the process of normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations.

“We continue to act and strive together with all our citizens and friends, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation, with the aim of reaching more desirable days based on peace, prosperity, and brotherhood,” he noted.

Official Ankara continues to deny and does not recognize the fact of the Armenian Genocide.

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