Turkish minister: Accusation of "genocide" one of main obstacles in establishing ties with Armenia

Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has said that accusations of Armenia and Armenian Diaspora in the so-called "genocide" are one of the main obstacles hindering the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Türkiye.

He made the remarks while speaking at a conference on the topic "Armenian issue" in Kayseri on April 27, Caliber.Az reports with reference to the Twitter page of the Turkish Ministry of National Defence.

Millî Savunma Bakanı Hulusi Akar, Kayseri Üniversitesinde düzenlenen “Ermeni Meselesi Üzerine” konulu konferansta konuştu. Bakan Akar, 1915 yılındaki olayların bir soykırım olmadığını ABD arşivlerindeki belgelerle anlattı.https://t.co/6J6RZQLdaY#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı… pic.twitter.com/yItp0bmJ2D

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) April 27, 2023

“Azerbaijan liberated its lands after 30 years of Armenian occupation. Armenia must accept the hand of peace extended to it,” Akar said.

The minister also noted that US President Joseph Biden and others should look into the US national archives. There is no mention of any genocide in the documents kept in them.

“These documents reflect information about mutual tension. Those who want to talk about 'genocide' should first study these documents. The 1,600-page report makes no mention of either massacre or genocide. Everything that is not reflected in these documents is subjective,” Akar said.