Erdogan invites Armenian President to Turkey on April 24
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to ceremonies marking the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli in Canakkale in late April, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.
With plans to hold massive ceremonies to mark the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli on April 23 and 24, Erdogan has sent out invitations to the leaders of 102 countries, including Armenian President Sargsyan and U.S. President Barack Obama.
The Turkish government is set to organize ceremonies with the participation of 8,500 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders. The U.K.’s Prince Charles and his two sons, and the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand, are expected to take part in commemorations.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has signed invitation letters to his counterparts, while President Erdogan has sent letters to the heads of state, accompanied by the message, “We would be delighted to have you with us on the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Gallipoli.”
Speaking to daily Hurriyet, a government official recalled that along with the many other ethnic groups who fought in the ranks of the Ottoman military, the Armenians also fought at Gallipoli. “We fought together in Gallipoli. That’s why we have extended the invitation to Sargsyan as well,” the official added.