ANKARA
Spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Levent Gumrukcu said that the argument made by Armenian Ambassador in Bern, Charles Aznavour that a Turkish Prime Minister expressed hatred of Armenians and Greeks was "baseless and meaningless" and that they strongly rejected such an argument.
In a written statement released on Saturday, Spokesperson Levent Gumrukcu said that Aznovour's comments came up during a TV program in Switzerland and that they could not understand where Aznavour's arguments had their origins in.
"We strongly reject this baseless and meaningless allegation (of Aznavour). The Turkish people have a long history of co-existence with the Armenian and Greek peoples. We always stress that trying to create enmity based on history is a wrong act," Gumrukcu underlined.
"On the other hand, we find as positive Aznavour's suggestions to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations. While we may not join some of Aznavour's evaluations, the right method to better understand historic incidents and to establish a peaceful common future lies in dialogue, empathy and just memory," Gumrukcu also said.
Shahnour Vaghenag Aznavourian, better known by his stage name Charles Aznavour, is a French and Armenian singer, songwriter, actor, public activist and diplomat.
