In the course of his meeting with Turkish theatre workers and cinematographers, country’s Premier Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan touched upon responses to his London statement.

Erdogan again opposed putting Armenian Genocide issue on the parliamentary agenda of a third country and advised not to intervene into Turkey’s relations with neighbors.

“We are not speaking of our citizens or refugees. My London statement was made to invite international community’s attention to our tolerance. We consider this issue from the goodwill viewpoint. We have always been and are tolerant to the needy. This is becoming to a great nation. To date we have never exacted an account from Armenians and Armenia for incorrect behavior of their Diaspora. Our goodwill should not be perceived wrongly.

Armenian Diaspora had never acted in favour of Armenia and Armenian people. They are very rich, but do not aid Armenia, that is in want. Today people leave Armenia for Russia and other states, as their life there is very poor. Prime Minister Putin told me about this in person. He also said that each year 200.000 Armenians move to Russia. Use of the word &‘displacement’ relating to my statement is irrelevant,” Erdogan concluded.

S.T.