Armenian Patriarch believes Turkey to get accession date on 17 December

Anatolia news agency, Ankara
16 Dec 04

Istanbul, 16 December: Mesrob II, Patriarch of Armenian community
in Turkey, said on Thursday [16 December] that he always advocated
Turkey’s membership to the European Union (EU). He said he believed
the EU would give a date to Turkey on 17 December to start full
membership negotiations.

Mesrob II told AA [Anatolia] correspondent that he shared the view that
the EU was not a Christian club, and noted: “Religion and religious
culture have become a tool of politics both for the EU and the Turkish
politicians more than necessary. Parliaments of the EU member countries
do not make decisions according to the doctrines of the Bible and
the Turkish parliament does not make its decisions according to
Koran. Integration of the EU and Turkey would be for the interest of
the region, the world and the peace among the civilizations.”

Replying to a question about the attitude of the Armenians living
in France, putting forward the allegations of “so-called Armenian
genocide”, towards Turkey’s EU membership, Mesrob II said: “The
disaster in 1915 is an issue which can be abused. To this end,
the foreigners will bring this issue on the agenda when they have
the opportunity. The issue should be excluded from being an issue
of exploitation soon by starting official and unofficial dialogue
process.”

“Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an earlier
statement said this was the job of historians and should be left to
historians. His statements are extremely realistic. Meeting face
to face with history is important for building of future on solid
basis. People can not embrace each other before making peace. Dialogue
process should be initiated,” Mesrob II said.