ANKARA, Turkey
The following information was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey:
The motion, adopted on by the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, is a new example of using Armenian claims for domestic political interests. We condemn this motion in the strongest terms.
It is not surprising that this motion was drafted by the Lega Party, led by Matteo Salvini, who is committed to sabotaging the relations between Turkey and Italy.
What is surprising and upsetting is that the above-mentioned Chamber has become an instrument in the play staged by the Lega Party, which aims at strengthening its position in the European Parliament elections.
Actually, Armenian claims being continuously put forward before elections or in the context of anti-Turkish sentiments, clearly reveals the political nature of these claims and their incompatibility with historical facts. These efforts do not provide benefit to any party and also stonewall the way for all well-intentioned, forward-looking initiatives.
It is inevitable that this motion will have various repercussions on our relations with our strategic partner, Italy, with which we have historical bonds and considerable trade relations.
As all other initiatives politicizing history, this motion is null and void for Turkey.