Speaking to Today’s Zaman English-language daily of Turkey, an official from the Turkish government, who had asked to remain anonymous, had said the centennial commemorations of the Battle of Gallipoli, in World War I, initiated by the Turkish government and to be celebrated on April 24 of this year—the same date as the centennial commemorations of the Armenian genocide—had been canceled due to the unwillingness of international leaders to visit Ankara and overshadow the genocide ceremonies in Yerevan.

 “The Gallipoli celebrations have been canceled. All preparations have been suspended as the number of RSVPs to the invitation is not positive. Only five countries have accepted the invitation and they will not be represented by high-level officials,” the official had stated.

The Turkish MFA, however, dismissed the aforesaid information. Speaking to Agos Armenian bilingual weekly of Istanbul, the MFA sources have informed that the Gallipoli commemorations will be held on April 24, as planned.