Turkish Press
April 14 2005

Erler: We Will Not Make A Decision In The German Parliament About A
Historical Issue

BERLIN – ”We will not make a decision in the German Parliament about
a historical issue,” said German Social Democratic Party (SPD)
Parliament Group Deputy Chairman Gernot Erler said on Thursday, as
regards the bill prepared by CDU defending Armenian claims of
genocide.

Members of Turkish parliamentary commission for EU adjustment,
actually in Berlin, met Erler.

Speaking after the meeting, Erler said, ”we exchanged views about
the bill prepared by German Union Parties’ (CDU/CSU) parliamentary
group defending Armenian claims of genocide”. He added, ”we will
not make a decision about a historical issue. It will remain as it
is.”

Stating that they saw a slow down in reforms in Turkey, Erler said,
”we know the difficult situation of Justice & Development Party
(AKP). Despite this, we want to hear good news from Turkey.”

Head of Turkish delegation Yasar Yakis in his part said they informed
their interlocutors about Turkey, and noted that, ”Germany is a
country advocating Turkey on the way to EU. We want this to
continue.”