Important revelation by Babacan on Turkish-Armenian relations

Ertuğrul Özkök reports from Davos, Switzerland

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan has made an important announcement to Hürriyet writer Ertuğrul Özkök on Turkish-Armenian relations. Babacan stated that 70 thousand Armenians had immigrated to Turkey with the aim of seeking employment.

President Abdullah Gül had asserted during his term as foreign minister that the number of Armenian immigrants who had sought employment in Turkey was 40 thousand.

The following comment has been made in response to Babacan’s statement:

“The number of Armenians coming to Turkey to seek work doubled in time the short time that had passed, whereas at that time, global campaigns claiming a so-called ‘Armenian-massacre’ were being launched against Turkey.

The Armenian government opposed Turkey’s suggestion to ‘let historians decide’. The fact that the number of Armenians immigrating to Turkey has doubled regardless of ongoing debates is an indication that the people of both countries are drawing closer. Despite, in fact, the few who try to drive them further apart...