Armenians

BY OKTAY EKSI
HURRIYET- Our efforts to become a member of the European Union have caused some confusion. For example, everybody knows that the concept of ‘minority’ comes from the Treaty of Lausanne. This is true not only for us, but also for Greece, which signed the treaty as well. Meanwhile, those who think it’s time to benefit from Turkey while hindering our EU bid are hard at work. The most important such initiative is the push to make Turkey recognize the so-called Armenian genocide. Former Foreign Minister Ilter Turkmen wrote yesterday in Hurriyet, ‘Of course it’s out of the question for Turkey to accept the claims of Armenian genocide.’ However, he also suggested that we should normalize our relations with Armenia so we can solve the problem. Actually Armenia’s deputy foreign minister said a few days ago that it was ready to meet unconditionally with Ankara in order to normalize relations. We’re against neither Turkmen’s view nor efforts to improve relations with Armenia. We also support the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) push to normalize our relations with neighboring countries. However, this can’t happen with the efforts and good will coming from one side only. For example, Armenia wants to normalize relations but it also supports cruel and unfair campaigns by the Armenian diaspora. In addition, hostility against Turkey is still enshrined in Armenia’s founding state papers, and Armenian President Robert Kocaryan doesn’t seem to have given up his promise to US Armenian lobbying groups that it would work hard for recognition of the genocide.