Shukru Elekdag on protocols between Turkey and Armenia

[ 26 Feb 2010 17:16 ]
Baku. Mahbuba Gasimbayli – APA. “The delegation of the members of Turkish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission will leave for Washington on Sunday on the eve of the discussion of the resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide in the U.S. Congress on March 5.

I represent our party in the delegation. We will hold a meeting in the Committee on foreign Affairs and try to impede the discussion of the “Armenian genocide” resolution,” member of Turkish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Commission, former Turkish ambassador to Washington, former undersecretary at the Foreign Ministry, parliamentarian from Republican People’s Party (CHP) Shukru Elekdag told APA.

To the question “It seems this time the situation is not pleasant” Elekdag said:
“Armenian Constitutional Court rewrote the protocols signed in Zurich on October 11. It is impossible to explain differently the court’s comments on the protocols. After that it will be difficult for Turkey to say “There was no genocide”. To admit the decision of Armenian Constitutional Court means to admit Armenia’s Declaration of Independence. In that declaration Armenia does not recognize Turkey’s borders and has claims for our eastern territories. We should work hard to bring the Khojaly genocide to the attention of the world, while Armenians try to raise “genocide” claims in the Congress. The most large-scale genocide by Armenians in the past 105 years was committed against our Azerbaijani brothers,” he said.

Answering the question “Would you like the Azerbaijani parliamentarians to be with you during your meetings in the Congress?” the diplomat underlined the importance of joint struggle.
“The only way to achieve peace in the region is the complete withdrawal of Armenians from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. No other way will cause the discussions between Turkey and Armenia and it will become difficult to establish peace in the region,” he said.