Armenian genocide claims “unacceptable”, Turkey tells Switzerland
Anatolia news agency
29 Mar 05
ANKARA
Allegations of Armenian genocide are unacceptable accusations which
Diaspora put forth to preserve its presence. They sometimes strain
relationship with friendly countries and poison the air,” Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday [29 March].
Gul met Micheline Calmy-Rey, chief of the Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
At a joint press conference that was held after the meeting, Gul said
the Armenian issue was discussed comprehensively with the Swiss
minister and stated that he conveyed Calmy-Rey that a decision made by
Switzerland’s Vaud canton in the past was wrong.
Gul said he conveyed the Swiss minister what had happened about the
issue since World War I, noting: “I also conveyed her that
unfortunately Diaspora poisoned our relations with the countries in
line with their interests.”
Gul said Calmy-Rey told him that view of Swiss government was
different from the decision made by the Vaud canton.
Gul said: “From time to time, some people may come together in the
parliaments and make some decisions. However, they obviously told us
today that decision of Swiss government was not like this and they did
not support that decision.”
We have opened our archives to everybody
Replying to a question, Gul said all archives of Turkey were open to
everybody, and noted those who made such allegations may use the
archives. Gul said: “All archives of Turkey are open. Those
accusations can not be accepted. Those who make the allegations,
should come to our archives to study and moreover world’s esteemed
scientists may join them. They may also open their archives if they
have.”
“The countries should not allow this,” Gul said, noting: “We have
launched this call to Armenia, we also launch it to France,
Switzerland and other countries.”
Calmy-Rey said the issue was a difficult topic in Turkish history,
noting that Switzerland believes that it is up to each country to
delve into its history. Calmy-Rey stated that they considered as
positive the proposal of the Turkish government for a joint study. She
said joining of international experts to the studies would be
beneficial to increase credibility of the study.
Calmy-Rey said they would be pleased if Armenian Diaspora joins the
studies.
Gul: Turkish-Swiss relations continue positively
Gul said that economic and political relations between Turkey and
Switzerland continued positively. Gul said bilateral and regional
relations were discussed at the meeting, stating that there was 4bn US
dollars trade volume between Turkey and Switzerland. He said
Switzerland has foreign investments in Turkey reaching to 2bn US
dollars. Noting that there was more than 300 Swiss companies in
Turkey, Gul said there was 100,000 Turkish citizens living in
Switzerland.
Calmy-Rey said her visit aimed at deepening bilateral relations
between Turkey and Switzerland and noted that bilateral relations
could be further improved particularly in economy. Calmy-Rey said they
also discussed issues pertaining to human rights during the meeting,
and noted that her country attached particular importance to this
issue. She said Turkey made important reforms on this issue noting she
conveyed the pleasure felt over those reforms. Calmy-Rey said
implementation of the reforms was very important, stressing that there
were steps to be made on violence against women.
Stating that integration with Europe was also discussed at the
meeting, Calmy-Rey said Switzerland welcomed a European Union decision
to start membership talks with Turkey, saying the negotiations would
help bring peace to the European continent. [Passage omitted]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress