The state Commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held a meeting

Today, the third meeting of the state commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place at the Government House. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Welcoming the members of the Commission, President Sargsyan stressed the importance of the fact that in the intervals between the meetings, the Commission continues to work on a daily basis and fulfills tasks set before it. The President of Armenia informed the participants of the meeting on his recent correspondence with a young Turk man residing in Germany and clarified why he was speaking in detail about that correspondence. “Mehmed Hakan Yail, that’s the name of the 30-year old Turk, who sent me a letter, notes in particular, “I spent my childhood in Istanbul… where numerous Armenian families live. I used to have many Armenian friends. But growing up, I started to feel more acutely that people, I don’t know why, had unjustified animosity toward Armenians. In my life, I never attached any importance to that but it hurt, because the best friends I had were Armenians. Now I live in Germany. As it’s said, the best way to see things is to look at them from a distance. It is true, in that case one is able to be objective.” He also said in his letter that he was planning to visit Armenia on his summer vacation and goes on saying, “I want a kind of permanent friendship which will allow to reciprocally forgive the mistakes of the past; it will have a peaceful influence on the future of the people,” the President read from the letter of the young Turk for the participants of the meeting and informed them that yesterday he responded to that letter. “I would like to read a small extract from my reply: “The fact that today a generation of young Turks is growing up whose the most progressive part is not constrained with the decades-long policies of the Turkish authorities, inspires me with hope and optimism. That very generation questions the credibility of these policies and most importantly it is ready to face its own history, admit the mistakes of the past and to achieve reconciliation through the open and constructive discussions.”

In my reply, I expressed consent with his notion on the importance of forgiveness noting at the same time that in order to forgive, it is necessary that forgiveness is asked for and misdeeds are acknowledged. Yes, the Armenian nation, and I am confident the Turkish people too, want to live a peaceful and dignified life. I trust that one day that wish will come true and I hope that the growing generation of the new, progressive Turks will become the architect of that endeavor.

Why am I speaking in detail about this letter? Because I have been considering and continue to consider that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is important and possible even today, perhaps in the framework of its 100th anniversary. With this regard we do have things to do. We may be able to reach the milestone of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide together with the Turkish society, Turkish authorities; we may be able to help them to pass the road toward relieving themselves from the burden of the past and to stand by them during that excruciating process. I believe it is a very important area of our Commission’s work and we should pay particular attention to that. I also believe that nobody sees me as a naïve person. I believe nobody thinks that I cherish great hopes or expectations, especially when it comes to the Turkish authorities. However I have always considered, consider it now and will continue to consider in the future that works on this direction are important,” the President of Armenia underscored.

The members of the state Commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide discussed works on different directions conducted after the previous meeting, the ongoing administrative activities and core issues and discussed future steps. It was decided to conduct the next meeting of the Commission in May, 2014 in Yerevan. Meantime, the working groups will continue to work vigorously.