THE MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN ADDRESSED TO ARMENIAN PATRIARCH OF TÜRKİYE, REVEREND SAHAK MAŞALYAN

Armenian Patriarch of Türkiye, Reverend Sahak Maşalyan,

Distinguished Members of the Armenian Community,

My Dear Citizens,

I salute you wholeheartedly and with affection.

I remember with respect the Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of the First World War and offer my condolences to their grandchildren.

On this occasion, I wish Allah’s mercy upon all the Ottoman citizens who passed away due to the clashes, insurgencies as well as gang violence, and terrorist acts that occurred during the First World War.

With the earthquakes of February 6, the worst natural disaster of the century, we once again observed that we, as 85 million compatriots, find peace under the shadow of the same flag, share the same homeland, the same past and future and the same destiny.

No matter how tragic it is, we must not allow the events of the past to overshadow our present and future.

We believe that sharing the pain instead of comparing it is the best way to heal our wounds for the sake of our future.

With this understanding, we spare no effort in strengthening our domestic peace, reinforcing our unity and solidarity, and expanding the rights and freedoms of all our citizens with the steps that we have taken for the last 20 years.

We strive to establish an inclusive and embracing environment in Türkiye where no one is marginalized and excluded because of their identity, faith and ethnicity.

Recognizing our differences as a source of richness, we will continue to work with the aim of friendship and peace in the coming period, despite those who attempt to politicize history.

We will continue to protect the rights and freedoms of our Armenian citizens who make irreplaceable contributions to the cultural, artistic, political, economic, educational, social and humanitarian life of our country.

I sincerely believe that the esteemed members of the Armenian community will also give us the necessary support in these endeavors.

With these thoughts, I once again respectfully commemorate the Ottoman citizens who passed away during the disintegration of the Empire.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

PRESIDENT OF TÜRKİYE