ERDOGAN: IT IS A DAYDREAM TO EXPECT TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE "ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 5 2006

"It is a daydream to expect Turkey to recognize the so-called Armenian
genocide. We’ll not change our position regarding the alleged "Armenian
genocide". Let no one expect us to change our position," Turkey’s Prime
Minister Rajab Tayyib Erdogan said while commenting on the European
Parliament’s today’s decision urging Turkey to recognize the alleged
"Armenian genocide".

APA’s Turkey bureau reports said there are some initiatives for
normalizing the relations between Turkey and Armenia, and the Foreign
Ministry controls this process.

"The European Parliament’s decision is not compulsory. So, there
is no need to exaggerate the appeals addressed from Strasbourg,"
the Premier underlined.

Prior to that, the European Parliament twice (in 1987 and 2005)
appealed to Turkey for recognizing the alleged "Armenian genocide".

Turkish Prime Minister wrote to Armenian President Robert Kocharian
offering to set up a joint commission to solve the problems between
the two countries, including the so-called "Armenian genocide".

However, Armenia’s response was negative.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul concretely voiced Ankara’s stance
regarding this issue in his address to the parliament on 13 April.

"Turkey will not obey any pressure and will not recognize the
fabricated "Armenian genocide". The Copenhagen principles-main document
on Turkey’s EU membership discussions do not mention the necessity
of recognition of the so-called genocide."