Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan’s statement on the expulsion of Armenians from Turkey evoked a violent public response both in Armenia and in Turkey, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at a conference in Yerevan.

People are surprised at a top-ranking official making such a statement. But, unfortunately, it is not for the first time that Turkish representatives have made such a statement. It is similar statements that provoked the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey, Armenian massacres in Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad in Azerbaijan, Minister Nalbandian said.

Statements like that are detrimental to the Armenian-Turkish normalization process, but Yerevan hopes sober thinking will triumph in Turkey and that state will listen to the international community’s demand for normalizing relations with Armenia without any threats, blackmail or preconditions.

“Armenia took the initiative to normalize relations with Turkey. Despite all the difficulties we progressed and signed the protocols. We are ready to move forward, but it depends on Turkey. Time will show,” Nalbandian said.

T.P.