TURKISH PM ADDRESSES EUROPE ON THE EVE OF EU SUMMIT

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6. ARMINFO. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan sent an address to Europe on the eve of the Dec 17 EU summit
which is to decide when to start the talks for Turkey’s admission
into EU, reports Zaman commenting on the opening of Armenian Museum
in Istanbul.

The source says that Erdogan personally inaugurated the museum situated
in the Armenian St Savior hospital. “This museum is inside my heart,
this is a museum of humanity,” he said noting that all Turkey’s ethnic
minorities are “the country’s original elements.” “We are the sons of
this country and have lived in peace and security for centuries. We
are compatriots and should and will care for each others interests.”

The Armenian children’s chorus Lusavorich performed the national
anthem of Turkey during the opening.

To remind, the first floor of the St Savior hospital, founded 172
years ago by Sultan Mahmud II, has been turned into a museum telling
the history of the hospital and Armenians living under Ottoman Rule,
particularly portraits of Armenians holding different posts at the
time, medical instruments, antiquities.

The director of the hospital Sedrak Tokat says that the goal of
the museum is to “correctly present Armenian-Turkish relations to
the generations to come.” Tokat is concerned about “the statements
by the Armenian Diaspora in the US and Europe.” He says “Armenians
live freely in Turkey – otherwise there would be no such event.” “We
wholeheartedly wish Turkey’s membership at EU,” says Tokat.-