Ankara strongly condemns ‘genocides’ motion by New South Wales

ANKARA

Armenia's top officials visit the genocide memorial. New South Wales’ legislature unanimously passed the motion on May 1 at the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the Australian Hellenic Council and the Armenian National Committee. AFP PHOTO / KAREN MINASYAN

Recognition of the “Assyrian, Armenian and Greek genocides” by New South Wales’ Parliament has angered Ankara, prompting it to deliver a “strong condemnation” while noting the decision will have negative repercussions.

“We strongly condemn and reject this motion which is in no way compatible with historic facts. The fact that this motion has been passed through a fait accompli by a local politician, whose antagonism to Turkey in his attitude and behavior is well-known, during a session at the State Parliament attended by a small number of parliamentarians, shows how lightly and unsoundly such a sensitive issue is dealt with. It is evident that history will not be rewritten by such motions passed by petty political calculations under the influence of ethnic lobbies known for their excesses and prejudices,” the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement delivered today.

New South Wales’ legislature unanimously passed the motion on May 1 at the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the Australian Hellenic Council and the Armenian National Committee.

Accordingly, the Parliament “joined the Assyrian, Armenian and Greek communities of New South Wales in honoring the memory of the innocent men, women and children who fell victims to the first modern genocides.”

“Although the solid friendly relations existing between the peoples of Turkey and Australia will not deteriorate because of this unilateral decision which is the fait accompli of a small group, its negative repercussions are nonetheless inevitable. In this context, the proponents of such initiatives aimed at dealing a blow to the very special relations that exist between our peoples will doubtlessly be deprived of the hospitality and friendship that we will never withhold from the people of Australia. These persons who try to damage the spirit of Çanakkale/Gallipoli will also not have their place in the Çanakkale ceremonies where we commemorate together our sons lying side by side in our soil,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“Necessary representations with Australian authorities have been made, stressing that our primary expectation from the Australian authorities for the sake of our relations that have developed so far on the basis of friendship, is that they be more attentive to unacceptable claims directed toward Turkey and the Turkish identity and that they take timely action against initiatives carrying anti-Turkish content and hate speech,” the ministry said.