THE FUTURE OF THE PAST: THE ARMENIANS IN TURKEY
A conference on solutions on the way to Turkey’s EU membership
Greens/EFA, 4/4/2005
Turkey seeks membership in the European Union. In December 2004, the
European Council approved Turkey’s fulfillment of the political
criteria of Copenhagen- a precondition for opening accession
negotiations. This decision recognizes Turkey’s progress in
further democratizing and improving human rights and minority issues,
which had only until recently minimally addressed, if at all. Many
problem areas and taboos still remain. The pre-accession process
gives us the opportunity to view these remaining problems and work
together on solutions.
The current situation of the Armenian minority in Turkey as well as
the Turkish discussion of its own history with respect to the
Armenians remains one of the largest remaining taboos. Many in the
Armenian diaspora demand that Turkey accepts responsibility for its
crimes of 1915 as a precondition for its EU membership. The official
Turkish position, on the other hand, has difficulty recognizing
Armenian suffering.
For the past several years, and largely unknown outside the region,
Turkish civil society has been addressing this problematic and
creating a dialogue that should contribute to a new understanding and
re-evaluation of official Turkish history. Leading Armenian and
Turkish scholars and intellectuals together have begun to critically
discuss historical interpretation as well as their common future in a
democratic and liberal Turkey.
By planning an event at the European Parliament, we seek to bring a
larger European dimension to the Armenian discussion and give
constructive opposing voices a fair debate forum. Any discussion
about Turkey’s future includes confrontation of the past based on
collective respect and empathy. Our goal is to contribute to this
process of understanding. More broadly, it is our goal to better the
future cohabitation of different cultures and ethnicities in Turkey.
The discussion on April 12 in Strasbourg will be lead by significant
personalities and scholars of history working on this issue such as
Hrant Dink, Etyen Mahcupyan and Taner Akcam.
AGENDA
14:30-15:00
Welcome and registration
15:00
Introduction by Marie Anne Isler Béguin, MEP
15:15-16:00
Panel discussion
Chair and moderator: Cem Ã-zdemir, MEP
Speakers
Taner Akçam, Sociologist and Historian-University of Minnesota
“The Ottoman archives as witness to the past: A new understanding
and re-evaluation of official Turkish history”
Etyen Mahçupyan, Columnist, Zaman daily, Istanbul
“Furthering an open dialogue on Armenian issues: Tension between
intellectual liberalism and mainstream politics in Turkey”
Hrant Dink, Editor-in-Chief- AGOS, Istanbul
“Future perspectives: Next steps in Armenian-Turkish relations,
what role for the EU?”
16:00
Discussion
16:45 Concluding remarks by Cem Ã-zdemir
Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French,
German and Turkish
Date and place:
Tuesday 12 April 2005
15:00-17:00
European Parliament, Strasbourg
Alexander Langer Room (LOW S2.2)
For information and registration
[email protected]
Phone: +32-2-284 74 46 fax: +32-2-284 94 46
Links:
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