Epress.am News from Armenia
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan invited his Turkish counterpart to Armenia on April 24, 2015. He said this during his speech at the fourth meeting of the State Commission on coordinating events dedicated to the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
"I would not disclose a secret by saying that Turkey’s decades-long official stance contrary to the simple, clear and evident truth has ultimately failed triggering countless questions on the official position among skeptical Turkish youth with increasingly growing numbers: thousands of Turks demand from their own government truth and justice. Many calls can be heard from different corners of the world urging the current Turkish authorities to put an end to their hopeless policy of denialism. Turkey has to understand that there is no alternative to facing the history and recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, not to become an accomplice of the Ottoman Empire.
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"Official Ankara continues talking about establishing a committee of historians and disclosing the archives. First and foremost it is known that Armenian archives have always been open to the researchers who have been interested in the scientific aspects of the issue. The materials in scientific institutions and museums have also been available. However, the whole point is that there is no need of archival research to face the truth of the Armenian Genocide. It is just enough to enter any Armenian house, any family and the testimonies will touch the heart of any listener. It is enough to be present in Tsitsernakaberd [Armenian Genocide memorial in Yerevan] on April 24 and perceive the counsel of the day for each Armenian, be they in Armenia or Diaspora. It is enough to visit any community of Diaspora and to ask how their ancestors have appeared there. If the Turkish authorities are interested in the truth they should arrive in Armenia and stand next to Armenian people on April 24. I don’t think they will be able to raise the idea of visiting archives then. Availing myself of this opportunity I officially invite the Turkish President, whoever will win the upcoming elections, to visit Armenia on April 24, 2015 and to face the vocal evidences of the history of the Armenian Genocide," he said, in particular.