‘Merkel doesn’t aim at recognition of the genocide, she just wants to prevent Turkey’s EU membership’
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
A proposal to the German Parliament by Germany’s conservative opposition alleging that 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 is actually intended to prevent Turkey’s accession to the European Union, Hrant Dink, editor in chief of the bilingual Armenian-Turkish Agos weekly, has claimed.
Speaking in Frankfurt over the weekend at a meeting concerned with the actual historic dimension of the Armenian issue, Dink argued that Europe had played a significant role in the events of 1915, CNN-TÜRK TV reported.
“Armenians, even today, are being exploited politically by Europe,” Dink was quoted as saying by the station.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) submitted the proposal urging the German government to push for Turkey to “look without reservations at its role regarding the Armenian people in the past, and, indeed, the present” and to “champion the freedom of public opinion in Turkey, particularly that concerning the massacre of Armenians.” CDU leader Angela Merkel is known for her opposition to Turkey’s EU bid and once proposed a “privileged partnership” for Turkey instead of full membership.
“Merkel doesn’t aim at recognition of the genocide, she just wants to prevent Turkey’s EU membership,” Dink said. He went on to say that the Turkish government is unafraid of pressure from the international community concerning the allegations of Armenian genocide, however, it is hesitant in front of its own people as the issue can only be resolved via human consciousness.
The German opposition’s move came before April 24, the 90th anniversary of the alleged genocide against Armenians at the hands of the former Ottoman Empire. The Armenians have stepped up their campaign for international recognition of the claims as the 90th anniversary of the alleged genocide approaches.
Turkey denies the Armenian allegations, saying the death count is inflated and that Armenians were killed or displaced along with many others as the Ottoman Empire tried to quell civil unrest.
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