986) 'Turkish Recognition of the Armenian Genocide a 'Daydream''

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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that it would be nothing but a “daydream” to expect recognition by Turkey of the so-called genocide of Armenians during the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

PM Erdogan and his Albanian counterpart Sali Berisha held a joint press conference on Tuesday following their meeting at the prime ministry office in Ankara.

Commenting on the draft report on Turkey for 2006 prepared by the European Parliament (EP), Erdogan remarked that the EP decisions were nor binding. Erdogan added that expecting Turkey's recognition of Armenian killings as "genocide" was impossible.

The EP called on Turkey for recognition of so-called Armenian genocide claims as a condition for its accession to the union in a draft report adopted by majority in Strasbourg on Monday.

Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected the EP report, saying that the report compiled by Dutch legislator Camiel Eurlings was incompatible with prestige and gravity of the European parliament.

"Turkey was deeply saddened with the stance of the European parliament regarding the so-called Armenian genocide claims," FM spokesman said.


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Cihan News Agency
September 05, 2006
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