Erdogan calls for rapprochement with Armenia

Erdogan calls for rapprochement with Armenia

armradio.am
20.10.2007 12:52

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for dialogue and
reconciliation with Armenia on Friday, as the US Congress weighs
whether to approve a resolution declaring the 1915 killings of
Anatolian Armenians genocide, Today’s Zaman informs.

`While we search for ways to address this painful issue and develop our
relations with Armenia, we cannot live in the past. Our sincere offer
for dialogue and reconciliation is on the table,’ Erdogan wrote in an
opinion piece published in Friday’s Wall Street Journal, European
edition. `It is incumbent on Armenia to take the next step,’ he added.

`The truth is that the Armenian allegations of genocide pertaining to
the events of 1915 have not been historically or legally
substantiated,’ Erdogan wrote, questioning in his opinion piece why
Armenia was evading Turkey’s offer to establish a joint history
commission to together examine the events of 1915 through bilateral
dialogue.

The source notes that Armenia says it would consider taking part in
such a history commission if its border with Turkey were opened and
normal diplomatic ties were established between the two countries.