Turkey calls for sense in Bundestag debate on 1915

ANKARA

Turkey on Monday called on German lawmakers to act reasonably when considering a bill next month on recognizing the deaths of Armenians in 1915 as "genocide".

Tanju Bilgic, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Ankara had been following the preparation of the resolution and its “politicizing” of history.

“It is possible that if the resolution is approved Turks living in Germany and Turkey will react seriously,” he said at a weekly news conference in Ankara. “In this framework, we expect the German parliament to act in common sense and reasonably.”

German lawmaker Albert Weiler announced Friday the Bundestag would consider a resolution on recognizing the events of 1915 as "genocide" on June 2.

Last year, parliamentary parties approved the resolution in principle but sent it to committee for further work.

“These [politicians] are further complicating the issue,” Bilgic said. “Genocide is not an issue that can be abused with political aims.”

He reiterated Turkey’s call to establish a joint commission to investigate the killings.

The deaths of Armenians in eastern Anatolia in 1915 occurred after some sided with the invading Russians and revolted against Ottoman forces. A subsequent relocation of Armenians resulted in numerous casualties.

Turkey rejects labeling the deaths as "genocide" but acknowledges that large numbers died on both sides.

Turning to the opening of an office in Berlin by the PYD, a Syrian group affiliated to the PKK terror organization, on Saturday, Bilgic said: “Allowing affiliates of a terrorist organization to operate with the mask of a charity is the manifestation of a stance that interrupts international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“What we expect from our allies is that they support Turkey in the fight against terror and act in a way that is sincere and principled.”

Turning to migration, the issue that led to the EU-Turkey deal, Bilgic said 396 irregular migrants had been returned to Turkey from Greece since the agreement came into effect in early April, including 14 Syrians.

“In return, 125 Syrians were sent to Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Lithuania,” he said.