Turkey will never take irresponsible decisions on its history,’ PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a television address on 31 March, CNN-Turk reports.
’We have repeatedly stated and we state today that Turkey is open to any political and historical discussions but when attempts are made to impose upon us historical events that did not take place, then we express our resentment. Unfortunately, some countries attempt to speak in the language of pressure with the support of their lobby.
’But as before, we say today that this way of talking to us does not conform to diplomatic etiquette or justice. These countries put events that occurred a century ago on the agenda again and again, though these issues have nothing to do with either the United States or Sweden. If you ask the deputies of these countries about the 1915 events, hardly any of them will give a reasonable response.
’Then why take such decisions that challenge relations between countries? I consider all these decisions irresponsible. The US Congress House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the resolution on these events by one vote. Who has given you the right to accuse a whole nation of non-existent events? These are historical issues. Let historians argue about it. Turkey has opened all its archives and called on Armenia and third countries to do the same and together look at what happened at that time. No one can groundlessly accuse Turkey, because it is none of their business. Let Turkey and Armenia settle their issues themselves,’ Erdogan said.
’Turkey coexists well with all neighbouring countries. I do not rule out the possible restoration of relations with Armenia, but the interference of third countries in this process just hampers these ties,’ he said.
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