The authorities of Turkey did not allow and will continue to allow the slightest discrimination against their citizens, including representatives of the Armenian community.
This is stated in the text of the message addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church Saaku Mashalyan.
The Head of State attracted attention to the fact that ethnic minorities have been living in Turkey side by side in the world for centuries, sharing both joy and sadness.
“Until now, we have not allowed at least one of our citizen to become a victim of discrimination, is isolated or subjected to alienation, for no matter what reason this happens, and we will not allow this to happen in the future,” Erdogan said.
The Head of State emphasized that again, with respect, pays tribute to the Ottoman Armenians who died in the difficult conditions of the First World War, and expressed condolences to their descendants. “We still feel pain from the loss of lives against the backdrop of riots, the growth of banditry, sabotage acts of armed groups and epidemics that covered the country during the war that came for the last period of the Ottoman Empire,” follows the text.
On the other hand, it is important to build the future of Turkey and not allow the painful memories of the past to overshadow the present and future, the president emphasized by the joint efforts of 86 million citizens.
Those who tried to shake deep and strong ties with the Armenian community and sow enmity, making a reference to historical events, could not realize their ambitions to this day, the head of state attracted attention.
The world, the safety and well-being of the citizens of Turkey-ethnic Armenians, making a valuable contribution to the cultural, artistic, political, economic, educational and social life of the country, will remain the priority of the government, as well as the well-being of other citizens, Erdogan assured.
The Head of State said that he shared the suffering of the Armenian community experienced in the past, and again respectfully honors the memory of citizens who died during the Ottoman Empire.