Anadolu Agency
Dec 17 2004
Patriarch Of Armenian Community In Turkey: I Advocate Turkey’s
Membership To The E.U.
ISTANBUL (AA) – Mesrob II, Patriarch of Armenian Community in Turkey,
said on Thursday 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 December 17th to start full membership negotiations.
Mesrob II told A.A correspondent that he shared the view that
the EU was not a Christian club, and noted that, ”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”, toward 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.