ANKARA - A ceremony took place in Foreign Ministry Martyrdom in Cebeci Cemetery on Tuesday to commemorate the diplomats and public officials who lost their lives abroad in terrorist attacks while working for the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, speaking at the ceremony, stated that many Turkish citizens lost their lives in heinous attacks of the Armenian terrorist organization in 19 countries between 1973 and 1994. "Turkey exerts extreme efforts to restore peace and confidence despite the difficult and negative conditions of its geography. We have never daunted by the hostile acts," he said.
"Tolerance lies under the basis of the traditions of our nation. We are going through a period when the peace, friendship and tranquility are needed the most. Turkey, being in peace with its history, looks at the future from a positive perspective. Turkey asked Armenia to establish a joint commission to examine the controversial period of our common history under the light of history and archives. All of Turkey`s archives, including the military, were opened to researches," Babacan said.
(AY-AÖ)