ANKARA - The Speaker of Turkish Parliament, Koksal Toptan, said Sunday, in regard to the incidents of 1915, that it was unfair to try to convict Turkey without a trial and bring this country to the point of apologizing.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from Ankara's Esenboga International Airport for Macedonia, Toptan said that he could not understand Turkish citizens who initiated an "apology" campaign on the incidents of 1915.
Those, who signed the apology declaration, issued such declaration in the name of freedom of expression but they could not tolerate criticisms against them, Toptan said.
I just can not understand such an attitude, Toptan said.
Toptan said he would visit Macedonia upon an invitation by Macedonian Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski.
Koksal Toptan will attend "National Festival of Turkish Education Day" activities in Skopje on Sunday.
The meetings between Turkish and Macedonian delegations under the leadership of Toptan and Veljanoski will take place on December 22. Toptan will also be received by Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski.
Toptan will address Macedonian Parliamentary General Assembly, and then he will hold a joint press conference with Veljanoski.
Toptan will hold meetings in several cities in Macedonia on December 23, and then proceed to Albania as the guest of Albanian Parliament Speaker Josefina Topalli.
On December 24, Toptan and Topalli will hold a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting.
Toptan will hold meetings with Albanian President Bamir Topi and Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Parliament Speaker Toptan will return to Turkey on December 25.
(SOL-GC)
(DIP)