Abdullah Gul’s remarks of Armenian-Turkish ties at Oxford University
Abdullah Gul of Turkey who departed for London to get “Chatham House” award delivered a speech at center of Islamic studies in Oxford University, Turkish “Sabah” writes. The topic focused “Islamic world, democracy and development” followed by President answering to the questions of scientists and students. To the question when Armenian-Turkish border would be opened and ties between the two states normalized, President Gul answered Ankara poured much efforts.
“Regional frozen conflicts should not be abandoned since they may become chronicle. Otherwise they may blast so suddenly,” Gul said reminding of Georgia’s experience. Turkish President underscored that today’s situation of Caucasus region is beneficial for neither party, since those conflicts should be set through dialogue. Gul stated Ankara can’t close eyes upon Karabakh “occupation.”
“We must cooperate over peace in Caucasus. And we do that.”
Panorama.am recalls that Turkey has traditionally rejected the mass killings of 1,5 million Armenians carried out early in the 20th century and took the criticism of the West painfully. The Armenian Genocide has been recognized by lots of states. It was first recognized by Uruguay in 1965. Later Russia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina and the US 42 states did the same. The Armenian Genocide has been recognized also by Vatican, the Council of Europe, the World Council of Churches.